Beluga whales pass mirror self-recognition test

A recent study published in PLOS One suggests beluga whales may possess mirror self-recognition, a cognitive ability linked to self-awareness. Researchers observed two beluga whales, Natasha and Maris, exhibiting behaviors consistent with recognizing themselves in a mirror, including examining marks placed on their bodies that were only visible via reflection. This places belugas on a very short list of animals, including great apes, elephants, dolphins, and magpies, that have demonstrated this capability. While the sample size is small and some behaviors are open to interpretation, the findings offer intriguing insights into cetacean cognition.