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Earlier we saw that the coal tit increases the size of its hippocampus by about 30% in autumn, and then shrinks it again in spring. Why?
To survive winter, the coal tit hides thousands of seeds around its territory at the end of summer — and later finds them again thanks to its remarkable memory.
And you? How’s your memory? Do you remember what year World War I started? Can you walk while talking on the phone? Try to memorise these numbers: 4-2-7-5. Now repeat them backwards. [Pause]. Here’s the answer: 5-7-2-4. Each of these tasks uses a different kind of memory, processed by different parts of the brain. When you recall dates, you use semantic memory; when you walk and talk at the same time, you rely on procedural memory; and when you hold and manipulate information for a few seconds, you’re using working memory.
Working memory is exactly what a 2007 study from Kyoto University focused on. In the experiment, humans and chimpanzees played a video game where they had to remember the position of nine numbers — and then their performances were compared.
The best player?
Ayumu, a young chimpanzee — and you can try to beat him on the screen in front of you.