Belugas may pass the mirror test—but does the mirror test still pass?

In an intriguing study conducted at a New York aquarium, Natasha, a beluga whale, and her calf Maris were observed engaging in behaviors indicative of mirror self-recognition. This newfound evidence, showcased in hours of underwater video footage, suggests that these remarkable creatures possess a level of self-awareness previously undocumented in belugas. Published in the journal PLOS One, the findings position belugas among a select group of species that have successfully passed the mirror self-recognition (MSR) test. This test, which has been achieved by a handful of species—including humans from around age two, certain great apes, Asian elephants, and bottlenose dolphins—has largely remained elusive for many others. Notably absent from the list of those demonstrating self-awareness are dogs, cats, and monkeys, despite assumptions about their cognitive abilities. So, what does the mirror test entail? Researchers conduct the experiment by discreetly placing a mark on an area of the animal's body that can only be seen through a mirror's reflection. When the mirror is presented, observers look for signs that the animal recognizes the reflection as itself, such as touching or examining the mark. This method, devised by psychologist Gordon Gallup in 1970, hinges on the idea that to utilize a mirror for self-examination, an animal must have a mental representation of itself as a separate entity. The results of this study not only deepen our understanding of beluga cognition but also prompt further questions about the nature of self-awareness across different species.