Beyond the Mirror: Examining Animal Self-Awareness Through Different Lenses

Since the 1970s, scientists have been conducting research on animals’ ability to recognize themselves in mirrors. While humans are the only species that regularly look at their reflections, other animals have shown signs of self-recognition in reflective surfaces. Studies on this topic have been conducted on various species, including chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, monkeys, ants, stingrays, African grey parrots, dolphins, magpies, penguins, and even fish.

While some great apes and an Asian elephant have passed the mirror test and demonstrated their ability to recognize themselves in a mirror, others like gorillas and monkeys have not yielded clear results. Some monkeys perceive their reflection as another animal and may not be reliable evidence of self-awareness. Even rats have passed the mirror test, showing their ability to recognize themselves in a mirror.

Recent studies have shown that some animals like dolphins and magpies may possess some level of self-awareness. However, highly intelligent animals like African grey parrots have not passed the mirror test. This has raised questions about the true meaning and utility of the mirror test in determining self-awareness in animals.

Overall, studies on animals’ ability to recognize themselves in mirrors reveal diverse responses across various species. While some animals show clear signs of self-recognition