Short Wave Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall: Can Animals Recognize Their Reflection At All?
Aug 13, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent, dives into the captivating world of animal self-recognition. She examines the iconic mirror self-recognition test and its implications for understanding animal cognition. Discover why only a few species, like chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants, excel at recognizing themselves in mirrors. Nell also dissects the playful yet puzzling behavior of pets, raising intriguing questions about how different animals perceive their own reflections and what this reveals about their self-awareness.
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Dog Mirror Behavior
- Maddie Safai noticed her dog intently watching her reflection in the mirror.
- The dog focused on Safai's reflection, not its own.
Parakeet Mirror Obsession
- Nell Greenfieldboyce's child's parakeet is obsessed with mirrors and reflective surfaces.
- The parakeet chatters at its reflection, a common behavior among parakeets.
Mirror Self-Recognition Test
- Gordon Gallup developed the mirror self-recognition test using red marks on animals' faces.
- This test helps determine if animals understand that the reflection is themselves.