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Baboons Fail the Mirror Test, but What Does That Mean?

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Author Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology

baboon
Image by Jorge Tung via Unsplash

When researchers tested wild baboons with mirrors, they found no signs of self-recognition. Unlike some animals that react to their reflections with curiosity or recognition, baboons didn’t acknowledge their mirrored image as their own. This raises questions about how different species perceive themselves and their surroundings.

A Measure of Self-Awareness

olive baboon
Olive baboon on branch surrounded by blossoms. Image by nicholas_dale via Depositphotos

The mirror test was developed in the 1970s to assess self-awareness in animals. A mark is placed on an animal’s body in a spot only visible through a mirror. If the animal touches or investigates the mark, it suggests they recognize their reflection as themselves. Some species pass, but many, including baboons, do not.

Why Baboons Don’t Recognize Themselves

Baby chacma baboon eating in an open field near Simon’s Town, South Africa. Image via Depositphotos

Despite their intelligence and complex social structures, baboons did not react in a way that suggests self-recognition. Instead, they showed curiosity about the mirror but treated it as another baboon or an object in their environment. This suggests that self-awareness may not develop the same way in all primates.

Other Animals That Pass the Test

Olive baboons
An adult monkey, the Olive Baboon (Papio anubis), grooms a kid at the Ngorongoro conservation Area in Tanzania. Image via Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2 http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html, via Wikimedia Commons

While baboons fail, several species have demonstrated self-recognition. Great apes, dolphins, elephants, and even some birds, like magpies, have passed the mirror test. These animals show awareness by examining marks on their bodies, proving they can distinguish themselves from others.

Does Failing the Test Mean Less Intelligence?

Guinea baboon (Papio papio) Image via Depositphotos
Guinea baboon (Papio papio). Female baboon with its newborn baby. Image via Depositphotos

Failing the mirror test doesn’t mean baboons lack intelligence. Instead, it suggests they may perceive the world differently. Some researchers argue that self-awareness can manifest in other ways, such as recognizing social hierarchies or problem-solving. The mirror test is just one way to measure cognition, but it may not capture the full picture.

The Need for New Tests on Animal Consciousness

Baboon
Baboon in The Kruger Park South Africa. Image via Flickr

Since the mirror test relies heavily on vision, it may not be the best measure for all species. Animals that rely more on smell or sound, like dogs or dolphins, may have other ways of recognizing themselves. Researchers continue to explore alternative methods to understand how different animals perceive their own existence.

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