The response of the animals that see their reflection for the first time
Are animals able to identify themselves when they look at their reflection in the mirror? This question has no definite answer, or rather, it has a clear answer but if we summarize it in two words it would be “yes and no”. Numerous studies in the past have led to the conclusion that some animals, monkeys, elephants, pigs and others recognize themselves in the mirror, while other animals are convinced that there looking at a different animal.
There can be no better or worse sight than your own reflection, but these vain animals seemed very keen to admire themselves. Innovative French photographer Xavier Hubert Brierre travelled to Gabon with his wife and set up a mirror in several locations in order to capture animals walking by. The results are stunning, with one of the more amusing reactions being from two leopards. One of them takes several looks at the mirror before it is attacked by a second leopard, who calls off the ambush when he too spots Xavier’s mirror.
