Bees Can Do Math
Like, Actual Addition and Subtraction. Are We the Dumb Ones?
Let’s just get straight to the sting: bees can do math.
And not just count a few things here and there. I mean actual, functional math — addition, subtraction, number recognition, and even using symbols. It turns out bees, with their sesame-seed-sized brains, are solving problems many humans would groan about on a pop quiz.
Suddenly, spelling “Buzz Lightyear” on a fridge magnet doesn’t feel as impressive.
But the science here is real, and it’s wild. Let’s explore how researchers discovered this, what it says about animal intelligence, and why bees might be smarter than we give them credit for. (And maybe smarter than some people who still think the Earth is flat.)
Wait, Bees Can Count?
Yep. This isn’t new, actually. Studies as far back as the 1990s showed that bees could count up to four or five objects when navigating to flowers or landmarks. That in itself is amazing, especially considering they only have about a million neurons in their entire brain. (Humans have 86 billion, for comparison.)
But it gets better.
In 2009, scientists at the University of Queensland taught bees to distinguish between different quantities of objects. And they didn’t just notice more or less — they could consistently pick the correct number.
Turns out, math is in their nature.
The Famous Study: Blue Equals Add, Yellow Equals Subtract
In 2019, researchers in Australia trained bees to do something absolutely bonkers: learn basic arithmetic using color-coded cues.
Here’s how it worked:
Bees were trained to fly into a Y-shaped maze.
At the entrance, they saw a set of shapes (like two squares).
If the shapes were blue, that meant “add one.”
If they were yellow, that meant “subtract one.”
Then the bees flew to a choice point where they had to pick the correct answer:
For blue + two shapes = three shapes.
For yellow - two shapes = one shape.
And they got it right... over and over again.
They learned to associate abstract symbols (colors) with mathematical operations, then used that knowledge to pick the correct answer in a new context.
I know humans who can’t do that without a calculator.
How Is This Even Possible?
Researchers believe bees use a kind of short-term working memory, combined with pattern recognition. Their brains are optimized for survival tasks like foraging, and basic math helps them navigate, evaluate flower patterns, and even communicate with their hive mates.
The bigger picture?
You don’t need a massive brain to process complex concepts.
It’s not just bees. Other animals have shown math-like abilities too:
Crows and parrots can count, recognize symbols, and even understand zero.
Dogs can differentiate between quantities (especially when it involves snacks).
Dolphins and elephants have shown number sense in captivity.
Still, bees are unique because of how tiny their brains are and how abstract their learning appears to be.
So... Are We the Dumb Ones?
Okay, maybe not dumb. But definitely guilty of underestimating the animal kingdom.
We tend to rank intelligence by how similar something is to us. But nature doesn’t care about our bias. Bees evolved their intelligence for efficiency, survival, and teamwork. And they nailed it.
It’s a reminder that intelligence isn’t just about logic puzzles or verbal skills. It can be:
Pattern memory
Navigation
Communication through dance
Sensory input mapping
Even cooperative problem-solving
If a bee can look at blue, see "+1," and fly to the right answer, that's a kind of genius we don’t fully understand yet.
But Can They Do Taxes?
Not yet. But give them time.
Real Talk: What Does This Mean for Us?
It means we need to start thinking differently about brains, consciousness, and intelligence. Not everything smart looks or thinks like we do. In fact, some of the most efficient creatures on Earth have evolved highly specific, powerful cognitive abilities completely unlike ours.
It also raises big questions:
Can intelligence be measured across species?
How much of thought is instinct versus learned reasoning?
Could our tech one day replicate insect intelligence rather than human?
(Spoiler: DARPA is already studying insect brains to improve drone navigation.)
Bees, Consciousness, and the Big Questions
If bees can count, learn math, and communicate complex directions to other bees through dance... where does that leave the idea of consciousness?
Do they know they’re doing math? Probably not. Do they understand the why behind their actions? Probably not.
But do they process, learn, remember, and make informed decisions? Yes.
That’s a big deal.
It challenges our assumptions about what kinds of beings can have thoughts, feelings, or inner worlds. And while bees probably aren’t lying awake at night questioning their place in the universe, their brains are far from simple.
Want to Be More Like a Bee?
Turns out, bees are basically the minimalist mathletes of the insect world. If this whole post made you fall in love with them a little more, here are a few fun (and useful) affiliate-worthy gadgets to channel your inner apiarist:
🐝 Beginner beekeeping kit
🐝 Pollinator-friendly seed mix for your garden
🐝 Bee hotel for your backyard
Even if you’re not ready to raise bees, supporting them with pollinator plants or clean water dishes goes a long way.
Bees are doing math. They’re solving abstract problems. They’re dancing their way through data analysis.
And we’re still struggling with splitting a restaurant bill.
Maybe we’re not the dumb ones. But we’re definitely not the only smart ones.
The more we learn about nature, the more it surprises us. Whether it’s a whale mourning its calf, a crow using tools, or a bee doing subtraction, the takeaway is the same: intelligence is everywhere. It just wears different wings.
So next time a bee buzzes past you, maybe don’t swat it. It might be doing math.
