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The responses of bonobos (Pan paniscus) to their mirror images: Evidence of selfrecognition

Human Evolution volume 9, pages 273–279 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

This research examined the responses of bonobos (Pan paniscus) to their mirror images. Nine bonobos were presented alternately with the reflective and non-reflective sides of a mirror. The apes exhibited considerable interest in the mirror, and immature animals exhibited higher frequencies of contingent action and inactive looking than did adults. four animals used the mirror to inspect parts of their bodies that were otherwise not visible to them, indicating that bonobos are capable of self-recognition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, P.O. Box 529, 20837, Poolesville, MD, USA

    G. C. Westergaard

  2. Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, 30322, Atlanta, GA, USA

    C. W. Hyatt

Authors
  1. G. C. Westergaard
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  2. C. W. Hyatt
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Westergaard, G.C., Hyatt, C.W. The responses of bonobos (Pan paniscus) to their mirror images: Evidence of selfrecognition. Hum. Evol. 9, 273–279 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02435514

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02435514

Key words

  • Bonobo
  • chimpanzee
  • mirror
  • Pan paniscus
  • self-recognition