Buzz
Have you ever placed a mirror in front of your dog and wondered what she sees (other than an adorable pup)? It’s likely that she doesn’t recognize the reflection as herself.
Dogs struggle with this due to their limited vision, and only a few animal species have shown signs of self-recognition. This concept is explored through the "mirror test," developed in the 1970s by biopsychologist Dr. Gordon Gallup Jr (and mentioned in the book Know It All). In the test, animals are exposed to a mirror after having an invisible, odorless dye applied to their faces. Observers note how often they touch or react to the mark, comparing it with reactions when no mirror is present.
Chimpanzees successfully "passed" the test by showing they recognized the mark on their faces. Very few other species have shown the same result. Other primates, such as bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas, have also demonstrated this ability. Recent research has even shown that some elephants and dolphins can pass the test too. And that’s about all that has been observed so far.
Birds, known for their animated interactions with mirrors, typically react as though they are seeing another bird of the same species (with the Eurasian magpie being one notable exception). As for humans, we generally don’t recognize ourselves in mirrors until around 12 to 20 months of age—just in time to notice food stuck in those newly sprouted baby teeth.
