The Mirror Test For Non Apes and Elephants

[David Sklansky]

I have read that only a few animals, great apes, dolphins, and recently one elephant, pass the mirror test. They are brought in front of a mirror, allowed to watch themselves for a while, taken away, have paint applied to their forehead, and brought back to the mirror.

Since only those animals sometimes wipe their foreheads, it is assumed that only those animals realize that they are looking at themselves. But I wonder if that is so. Might somewhat less intelligent animals like pigs, dogs, cats, birds, or sea lions also get it if they were helped a little. Given more time. Or better yet, helped by props. Suppose each time, or at least at the beginning, the dog was put in front of the mirror with you holding it? That should make it more obvious he is looking at himself. Has this been tried and failed? Just wondering.