Scientists in China has successfully trained male rhesus monkeys to pass the mirror self-recognition (MSR) test, a standard measure of self-awareness. The breakthrough suggests there may be many other animals who have the ability to be bodily self-conscious, than previously thought.
Previously, it was known that whilst Rhesus monkeys could use mirrors to find hidden objects like food, they didn’t display self-recognition. But by using laser pointers to accurately target the monkey’s reflection, the scientists were able to teach them to pass the test.
Self-recognition in the animal world is rare, and is a sign of superior intellect. Of the hundreds of animals tested so far, only 10 animals (to date) have been proven to have any measurable degree of self-awareness. They include bottlenose dolphins, some elephants, mant rays, orcas, European magpies and of course, humans.
The majority of other birds have failed, as did pandas, sealions and dogs. Gorillas rarely pass, but they also associate eye contact with aggression so tend to avoid it. And dogs, in fairness, use smell over sight. So is self-recognition a sign of higher intelligence? It remains to be seen.
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