The Mirror Test Results: 23 Animals That Actually Recognize Themselves

Home Animals The Mirror Test Results: 23 Animals That Actually Recognize Themselves

Animals

By Chuvic - July 8, 2025

Can animals recognize themselves in a mirror? The mirror test, developed by psychologist Gordon Gallup Jr. in 1970, set out to answer this very question. By observing whether an animal can identify a mark placed on its body only visible via a mirror, researchers gauge self-awareness—a trait once thought unique to humans. Few creatures pass this cognitive milestone, making the results both surprising and deeply intriguing. Which species truly see themselves? Let’s explore the remarkable findings that challenge our understanding of animal minds.

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1. Chimpanzee

The Mirror Test Results: 23 Animals That Actually Recognize Themselves — A curious chimpanzee gazes intently into a mirror, seemingly fascinated by its own reflection and self-recognition. | Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels

Chimpanzees were the first non-human species proven to recognize themselves in mirrors. In the original 1970 study, Gordon Gallup Jr. applied an odorless dye to chimps’ faces. When given a mirror, the chimps examined and touched the mark, clearly demonstrating self-recognition.
This breakthrough established chimpanzees as a benchmark for animal intelligence, inspiring decades of research into primate cognition. Their ability to pass the mirror test remains a reference point for comparing self-awareness across the animal kingdom. Read more

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2. Bonobo

Bonobos, the gentle cousins of chimpanzees, have also impressed scientists by passing the mirror test. Frans de Waal’s research shows that bonobos investigate marks on their bodies when given a mirror, suggesting they possess self-awareness similar to chimps.
Their remarkable social intelligence and empathy further demonstrate advanced cognition within great apes. These findings add to our understanding of the evolutionary roots of self-recognition. Learn more

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3. Orangutan

Orangutans, Asia’s only great apes, have also demonstrated mirror self-recognition. When exposed to mirrors, they display curiosity and often touch or examine marks on their faces, signaling genuine self-awareness.
Their impressive cognitive abilities are frequently compared to those of chimpanzees and bonobos, placing them among the most intelligent primates. These findings highlight the depth of orangutan intelligence and their place in the story of animal self-recognition. Source

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4. Gorilla (Controversial)

While most gorillas do not consistently pass the mirror test, some individuals—like the famous Koko—have shown ambiguous responses. These responses spark debate: some researchers believe gorillas’ tendency to avoid direct eye contact, a strong social norm in their species, may mask their true level of self-awareness.
As a result, gorillas occupy a controversial place in mirror test literature, with ongoing discussions about whether their behaviors reflect cognitive limits or social restraint. Discussion

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5. Asian Elephant

Asian elephants are among the few non-primates to definitively pass the mirror test. In groundbreaking studies by Diana Reiss and colleagues, elephants used their trunks to touch visible marks on their heads after observing themselves in a mirror.
This remarkable achievement points to a high level of self-awareness, likely supported by their famously large brains and complex social structures. Asian elephants’ success in these tests provides important insights into the evolution of cognition. Further reading

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6. Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins stand out as some of the only marine animals to pass the mirror test. Pioneering research by Diana Reiss revealed that these dolphins inspect and attempt to remove marks on their bodies after seeing their reflection.
Such behaviors indicate a sophisticated level of self-recognition and highlight the advanced cognitive capacities found in cetaceans. Bottlenose dolphins’ success continues to reshape how we view intelligence and self-awareness in the animal kingdom. Source

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7. Killer Whale (Orca)

Killer whales, or orcas, have shown behaviors consistent with self-recognition during controlled experiments. Their intricate social structures, much like those of bottlenose dolphins, suggest a high degree of cognitive sophistication.
Recent research indicates that orcas may pass the mirror test, exhibiting curiosity and investigating marks on their bodies after seeing their reflection. These findings further demonstrate the remarkable intelligence present within the cetacean family. Study

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8. False Killer Whale

False killer whales, close relatives of dolphins and orcas, have demonstrated mirror-directed behaviors suggesting self-recognition. Like their cetacean cousins, they inspect marks on their bodies when given access to mirrors.
These findings highlight the advanced cognition of false killer whales and encourage further exploration into the minds of marine mammals. See more

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9. Eurasian Magpie

Eurasian magpies made history as the first non-mammalian species to pass the mirror test. In experiments, these birds peck at colored stickers placed on their feathers after viewing their reflection—clear evidence of self-recognition.
This discovery is remarkable, as it challenges previous assumptions about the neural structures necessary for self-awareness. The magpie’s success opens the door to new questions about cognition and consciousness in birds. Read here

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10. Cleaner Wrasse Fish

In a surprising turn, the cleaner wrasse fish appeared to pass the mirror test in 2019. When marked, some individuals tried to scrape the mark off their bodies after seeing their reflection, a behavior previously unseen in fish.
This result ignited scientific debate: do these actions indicate genuine self-awareness, or do they arise from a different cognitive mechanism? The cleaner wrasse challenges how we interpret the mirror test across species. Learn more

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11. Pigeon (Debated)

Pigeons have demonstrated mark-directed behaviors when exposed to mirrors, particularly following extensive training sessions. While these actions raise intriguing questions, most scientists remain cautious about interpreting them as true self-recognition.
The prevailing view is that pigeons may be responding through learned association rather than genuine self-awareness. Their case remains hotly debated within animal cognition research circles. Details

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12. European Jackdaw

Research on European jackdaws has produced mixed results regarding the mirror test. While some individuals interacted with marks on their feathers after seeing their reflection, these responses have been inconsistent across studies.
The jackdaw’s case highlights the nuanced challenges of interpreting mirror self-recognition in corvids and invites further investigation. Reference

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13. African Grey Parrot

African Grey Parrots are renowned for their remarkable intelligence and problem-solving skills. In some studies, these parrots have exhibited mirror-directed behaviors, such as investigating or touching marks placed on their bodies.
While results are not universally consistent, these behaviors suggest a potential for self-recognition in certain individuals. Ongoing research continues to explore the cognitive world of these fascinating birds. Read more

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14. Rhesus Macaque (With Training)

Rhesus macaques generally do not pass the mirror test without assistance. However, some individuals have demonstrated mark-directed behaviors after extensive exposure to mirrors and targeted training.
These results indicate that experience and environment can shape self-recognition abilities, challenging the idea that such cognition is strictly innate. The macaque’s case adds an intriguing layer to our understanding of animal intelligence. Source

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15. Gibbon (Anecdotal)

There are anecdotal reports of gibbons displaying behaviors that suggest self-recognition when exposed to mirrors. However, systematic research has yet to confirm that gibbons consistently pass the mirror test.
Their ambiguous results keep them on the fringes of the self-awareness discussion, prompting calls for more focused study. More info

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16. Gorilla (Hand-Raised Individuals)

Some hand-raised gorillas, like the well-known Koko, have occasionally shown mark-directed behaviors in front of mirrors. However, these results are variable and not consistently observed across all individuals.
Most researchers recommend interpreting these findings with caution, as the evidence for genuine self-recognition in gorillas remains limited and context-dependent. Ongoing studies aim to clarify this complex picture. Details

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17. California Sea Lion (Contested)

California sea lions have taken part in mirror mark tests, but so far, the evidence for true self-recognition is inconclusive. Many observed behaviors seem more exploratory or playful than genuinely self-directed.
This keeps sea lions’ status on the mirror test a matter of scientific debate, prompting further research into their cognitive abilities. Read more

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18. Domestic Dog (Mostly Negative)

Despite their high intelligence and complex social skills, domestic dogs generally do not pass the mirror test. Most dogs either ignore their reflection or react as if meeting another animal rather than themselves.
However, a few studies indicate that some dogs may use mirrors as tools to locate hidden objects, suggesting limited mirror use without clear self-recognition. Reference

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19. Ant (Controversial)

In 2015, researchers reported that some ant species responded to marks visible only in a mirror, sparking considerable debate. While the ants interacted with these marks, many scientists remain skeptical, questioning whether this really signifies self-recognition or a different kind of behavioral response.
The findings continue to stir discussion in entomology, highlighting the complexities of interpreting the mirror test in invertebrates. Read here

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20. Asian Elephant Calf

Even at a young age, Asian elephant calves have displayed promising signs of self-recognition. In experimental settings, these calves have been observed touching marks on their bodies after seeing themselves in a mirror.
Such behaviors suggest that the roots of self-awareness begin to develop early in life, growing stronger as the elephants mature. These findings add a fascinating developmental perspective to our understanding of elephant cognition. More info

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21. Western Lowland Gorilla (Individual Cases)

On rare occasions, Western Lowland Gorillas have been seen investigating marks on their faces while looking in mirrors. However, these instances are exceptional and have not been consistently reproduced in scientific studies.
As a result, the status of this species in the context of the mirror test remains ambiguous and continues to be debated among researchers. Source

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22. Capuchin Monkey (With Training)

Capuchin monkeys typically do not pass the standard mirror test. However, after extensive training, some individuals begin to use mirrors to inspect parts of their bodies they cannot otherwise see.
This phenomenon raises intriguing questions about the influence of learning and experience versus innate self-awareness in primates. The capuchin’s case continues to inform ongoing debates in animal cognition research. Details

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23. Mantis Shrimp (Preliminary Observations)

Early research hints that mantis shrimp might respond to their mirror image in ways that suggest possible self-recognition. However, current evidence is highly preliminary and far from conclusive.
Much more investigation is needed before drawing any firm conclusions about the cognitive abilities of these fascinating crustaceans. Further reading

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Reflecting on the Mirror Test

The mirror test remains one of the most provocative tools in animal cognition research, yet it is not without controversy. Only a select group of species have clearly demonstrated self-recognition, while many others leave us with fascinating ambiguities and new questions.
As scientists continue to refine methods and expand studies across diverse animals, our understanding of consciousness may evolve in surprising ways. Stay curious and keep exploring—each discovery brings us closer to understanding the minds that share our world.

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