Which animals can recognize themselves in the mirror?

Humans are the only species that look at their reflections in mirrors every day, but they are not the only species that recognizes themselves on reflective surfaces. Scientists have tested the ability to recognize themselves in mirrors in many species, starting with studies of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) published in 1970.

Animals ranging from ants to stingrays to African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) have been closely studied for signs that they can perceive themselves when looking in the mirror. A few realize they are observing themselves, many don’t realize at all, while some display ambiguous behavior.

“Many animals don’t make it. They need to check a visual cue in front of a mirror without any training or reward. The action needs to be spontaneous,” said Frans de Waal, primatologist studied at Emory University, explains.

In a 1970 experiment, four chimpanzees were anesthetized and their faces were marked with red dye. When awake, chimpanzees examine the marked spots in the mirror, demonstrating that they understand that they are looking at themselves. The tick test is considered the most convincing evidence of self-awareness in front of a mirror.

Many other great apes also pass the test. Orangutans recognized themselves, even identifying body markings, in a 1973 study. A 1994 study found that bonobos examined areas of the body that, without a mirror, they would can not see. However, testing with gorillas did not yield clear results.

Monkeys often perceive their reflection as another animal, although a series of controversial studies have shown that some monkeys can recognize themselves after undergoing training. Critics argue that such learned behavior is not reliable evidence of self-awareness.

Aside from the great apes, until last year the only land mammal that convincingly passed the test was an Asian elephant (The largest elephant) at the Bronx Zoo, USA. However, according to research published in the journal Neuron January 2024, rats also seemed to notice changes in their bodies in the mirror.

Dolphins can also perceive their own reflections. A 1995 study that used video instead of mirrors and a 2001 study that used mirrors both found that dolphins rely on their own reflections to check for body markings.

In 2008, a team of scientists studying the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) discovered the first evidence that a non-mammal species is capable of recognizing itself in a mirror. In 2022, wild Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) also showed signs of self-awareness in front of mirrors, although they did not respond to colorful bibs placed around their necks to mark them.

Experiments on lower animals cause a lot of controversy. According to a 2015 study, ants may have some self-awareness because they try to remove the green paint on their heads when looking at a reflection. Two studies in 2016 and 2019 showed that sea fish and fish Labroids halved You can also recognize them in the mirror. In the 2024 study, the team of experts who discovered mice also found ways to remove traces on their bodies.

So, supposedly more primitive creatures pass the mirror test, while some of the most intelligent animals outside of humans, including African grey parrots, fail. This calls into question the usefulness of the mirror test. Scientists are unsure whether the test reveals a true sense of self in animals like humans or simply a form of body awareness.