The mirror test, developed by psychologist Gordon Gallup Jr. in 1970, assesses self-awareness in animals. It involves placing a mark on an animal and observing if they touch the mark while looking in a mirror, indicating self-recognition.
Several species have passed the mirror test, demonstrating self-awareness. These include great apes (chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas), killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, Asian elephants, Eurasian magpies, manta rays, horses, and even mimic octopuses.
Animals that typically fail the test, like cats, dogs, and pandas, may rely more on senses other than sight. For example, dogs depend heavily on their sense of smell for identification. Mirrors are used in zoos to combat loneliness and stimulate mating rituals, creating a sense of community for social animals like flamingos.