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Casually dropped this tidbit (lemmy.world)

submitted 6 months ago by ickplant@lemmy.world to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

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You can read about how researchers discovered that here.

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[-] kromem@lemmy.world 40 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Wait until you find out ants pass the mirror test.

One study found that three species, Myrmica rubra, Myrmica ruginodis, and Myrmica sabuleti have shown potential for self-recognition (Cammaerts and Cammaerts, 2015). When exposed to a mirror, ants of all three species marked with a blue dot would attempt to clean themselves by touching the mark. Similar results were not exhibited when ants were marked with a brown dot, which is the same color as their body. It appears that the ants used their mirror reflection to see the unusual blue dot and attempt to clean it. If true, this behavior would indicate self-recognition.

[-] dingus@lemmy.world 5 points 6 months ago

I didn't even realize they could see much at all tbh. I thought most of their navigation was through smell! This is a super interesting article!

[-] anzo@programming.dev 3 points 6 months ago

Amazing, specially considering that gorillas either fight or flee their reflection on mirrors. There are videos on YouTube, quite entertaining btw.

[-] Omega_Haxors@lemmy.ml 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

One thing I like to do with my pets when they're young is play with them through the mirror so they can make the connection that kitty getting their neck scritched is the same kitty getting their neck scritched. There's nothing more rewarding than the moment they look at you through the mirror, then look up at you directly and then do that little slow eye close showing that they know you are also the same person.