Can animals recognise themselves in a mirror?

Yes, there absolutely have been scientific studies on whether animals recognize themselves in mirrors! The most common test used is the mirror self-recognition (MSR) test. Here's how it works: An animal is exposed to a mirror for the first time. Researchers place a mark, like a dot of paint, on the animal's body in an area it can't normally see without aid. If the animal touches or investigates the mark specifically in the mirror, it's considered to have recognized its reflection and passed the test. So, which animals can recognize themselves? Only a select few animal species have consistently passed the mirror test. These include: Chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas (our closest primate relatives) Bottlenose dolphins and Asian elephants Cleaner wrasse (a type of fish) Magpies (and possibly other corvids)