I find it human-exceptionalising when we say that non-human animals can't have a concept of number.
Why wouldn't they? In evolutionary terms, we followed the same path to get here.
Why wouldn't they? In evolutionary terms, we followed the same path to get here.
Then why can't I fly?
We know that language had a role in our ability to count. Most primitive societies with limited language only counted 1 or 2 and everything else was "many". It's why many languages have a "half" and a systematic one-thirds, one-fourth, one-fifth, etc. If we had "numbers" and the ability to count, we'd say "one-twos" rather than half. This is true for most cultures/languages.
Also, if you think animals grasp the concept of number, do you think they have the ability to understand negative numbers?