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Cognitive abilities differ not only among different species but also among individuals within the same species. It is expected that smarter individuals live longer, as they tend to make better decisions regarding their habitat, food choices, avoiding predators, and caring for their offspring. To investigate the factors influencing the lifespan of wild gray mouse lemurs, scientists from the German Primate Center conducted a comprehensive study in Madagascar.
How the Research Was Conducted
Scientists carried out four different cognitive tests and two personality tests on 198 animals. In the cognitive tests, they evaluated the animals’ problem-solving abilities (reaching food by manipulating a slider), spatial memory (remembering the location of hidden food), inhibitory control (taking a detour to access food), and causal understanding (pulling a string to obtain food). The first personality test assessed exploratory behavior, while the second measured curiosity by observing the animals’ reactions to unfamiliar objects.
Subsequently, the lemurs were released back into their natural habitat. Afterward, they were periodically recaptured, weighed, and their survival was tracked over several years.
Smarter and More Inquisitive Lemurs Live Longer
After analyzing the data, the team discovered that lemurs with better cognitive and explorative abilities generally live longer. Additionally, female lemurs outlived males.
Lemurs that performed well in cognitive tests displayed less exploratory behavior. Conversely, those demonstrating more curiosity had a higher body weight. Researchers suspect that curiosity helps animals find food more easily. On the other hand, smarter yet less explorative lemurs gathered more accurate information before making decisions.
These results suggest that being either smart or exhibiting good physical condition and exploratory behavior are likely to be different strategies that can lead to a longer lifespan.
Claudia Fichtel, first author of the study and a scientist at the German Primate Center
Although the study focused on lemurs, it remains unknown how intelligence and curiosity impact human survival. The study’s authors speculate that if these traits are hereditary, they could form the basis for the evolution of cognitive abilities in humans.
While we cannot influence heredity, cognitive abilities can be developed. Thanks to the brain’s neuroplasticity, it can form new neural connections and reorganize existing ones based on experience and learning, regardless of age. Solving complex problems, learning languages, overall education, physical activity, and curiosity about the world are proven ways to maintain mental health.
