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

Human Evolution

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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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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

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