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Mirror, mirror, on the whale

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Beluga whale. Photo by Marine Mind/Abigail Carleen Dahl, CC-BY 4.0
Beluga whale. Photo by Marine Mind/Abigail Carleen Dahl, CC-BY 4.0

Some captive beluga whales appear to be able to recognise themselves in mirrors, possibly the first evidence of the ability in the species. Two of four whales tested at New York Aquarium were able to pass a range of mirror tests, like identifying temporary marks drawn on areas of their body that could only be seen by using the mirror. Other creatures that can recognise themselves in a mirror include bonobos, bottlenose dolphins, Asian elephants, magpies - and of course humans.

Multimedia

Beluga whale (1).
Beluga whale (1).
Beluga whale (2).
Beluga whale (2).
Self-directed behavior by Maris at a mirror.

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conference: PLOS One
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Organisation/s: City University of New York, United States
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