Chimpanzee intelligence is well-known and a specific aspect of their intelligence that I find particularly fascinating is their awareness of self as separate from others, or ‘theory of mind’. A classic experiment used to test for theory of mind in animals is the mirror test whereby a mark is placed on the face or some other body part of an animals and then they are presented with a mirror. If the animal notices the mark and reaches towards their own face instead of the one in the mirror, this indicates that they are aware that the image in the mirror is themself and not another animal. This works on a number of species we all recognize to be intelligent like elephants, dolphins, and the great apes while, interestingly, other nonhuman primates like monkeys, will fail this test. Human children typically begin to pass the mirror test around the age of two.
I’ve always enjoyed watching chimpanzees look at themselves in the mirror. Some are more interested than others in their own reflections, usually picking at marks or scabs on their face and head, opening their mouths to inspect their teeth and tongue, and sometimes making faces at themselves. Are they amused? Are they curious? What’s happening in those minds?!
To celebrate this endearing behavior, I’ve decided to put together a compilation of photos and videos of the chimps at CSNW looking at their own beautiful faces. Enjoy!
What a fun and fabulous idea, Amanda!
Dare I ask what (or who) happened to Honey B’s wobbly mirror?
When I see her spin, I think “the things she could teach Foxie!” I hope you show this to Foxie.
And speaking of The Tiny One, that sneer! We have to remind her that she should never say to herself anything she wouldn’t say to a good friend!
Finally, I think Willy B’s lunchtime frisbee mirror deserves a shout out. 🙂
From what I gather from other staff who have been her much longer than me, the mirror items were being disasembled by Honey B’s group and had to be removed.
Thank you for sharing these fascinating and amusing videos with us. I especially loved Honey B spinning around on the mirror!
I really enjoyed the different responses to seeing themselves in the mirrors. Missy seemed quite taken with herself and then there is Honey B. I thought she might fall as she was spinning but then remembered she has excellent balance like her mother. ?
Honey B standing on the ball and spinning without falling off was the highlight of this great video.
I love watching them look at themselves in the mirror.
Foxie’s silly faces are just the cutest thing. Honey B’s spin just cracks me up!
Amanda! That was so much fun to watch, thank you for pulling this together! It begs me to ask if either side still has their big, round hanging mirrors? I feel as if I haven’t seen one in the background of photos or videos in some time….or maybe I have and they are common place in my mind?! I believe Jamie’s group had/has one hanging in the greenhouse for a long time, they didn’t destroy it. But Willy B’s group, can they still be trusted with a big mirror (I know how this group likes to eat and “destroy” certain items) and do they still have theirs?
Here’s an idea….if new mirrors are needed, and perhaps they are not, maybe we could have a quick fundraiser to buy 2 new mirrors. Or maybe new mirror wobblers? I selfishly suggest this because I LOVE watching the chimps watching themselves. So smart. So handsome and beautiful.
That is a good idea, let’s carry on with Betsy’s crowd-funding idea.
I always thought that the big one on the CA side was the one that had been on the side of the OG 7. But you’re right, I haven’t seen it in a while.
Thank you, Kathleen!
Your suspicions are correct, actually. Their large hanging mirrors had to be removed due to not-so-careful disassembly by the chimpanzees themselves. Much stronger mirrors will be required for that group and that idea is in the works!
You caregivers always rise to the challenge! You are amazing.