Whatever the mirror test tells us, beluga whales pass it

A new study of archived aquarium footage suggests two beluga whales, Natasha and Maris, may have passed the mirror self-recognition test.

Researchers reported mirror-directed, mark-related behaviors consistent with self-recognition in underwater video from a New York aquarium.

The finding could expand the small list of animals thought to recognize themselves in mirrors and deepen debates about animal cognition.

Experts note the result is promising but still contested because the sample was small and the interpretation remains debated.