Beluga Whales Recognize Themselves in Mirrors: Scientists Shocked

Beluga whales

Beluga Whales Recognize Themselves in Mirrors: Scientists Shocked

A new study has revealed that beluga whales (white whales) possess the ability to recognize themselves in mirrors, joining a small and rare group of intelligent animals with self-awareness, such as great apes, dolphins, elephants, magpies, and cleaner fish.

The study, published in the journal Science Alert, was led by Diana Rees, a marine mammal scientist at New York University, and researcher Alexander Meldener. 

It analyzed previously recorded videos of four beluga whales at the New York Aquarium. The results showed that two of the whales (an adult female named Natasha and her seven-year-old daughter, Maryse) showed exceptional interest in mirrors and went through the scientifically recognized stages of self-awareness.

Beluga Whales

"The Matching Test"

Initially, the whales displayed social behaviors, such as opening their jaws—a gesture beluga whales typically use to intimidate others, mistaking their reflection for another whale. However, they quickly moved into a "matching test," repeating movements to confirm whether the image was moving with them. Natasha nodded her head, while Maryse shook her head from side to side and up and down.

Later, the whales exhibited "self-camouflage," using the mirror as a tool to observe themselves, monitor their water flips, and examine the inside of their mouths. Maryse also squirted her pectoral fins in front of the mirror, and both whales blew air bubbles and attempted to bite them—a rare behavior not observed in the absence of a mirror.

The "Mark Test"

The whale "Natasha" also successfully passed the "Mark Test," spending a considerable amount of time orienting the side of her body marked with pigment towards a mirror for examination. 

Researchers assert that this discovery reinforces the hypothesis that highly social and empathetic animals possess sophisticated self-awareness, and scientists hope that these findings will contribute to increased human empathy for these creatures and support legislation protecting their environment.