Friend or Foe? Pandas and their Reflections

You would think that most organisms would be able to notice themselves in a mirror. It moves just like you, gestures the same. Only creatures with lower cognitive abilities would be unable to do so. However, that is not always the case. Take the giant panda, for example, a solitary bear that has a brain of exceptional size and ability.

In a study conducted in a conservation in China (1), researchers wanted to determine MSR, or mirror self-recognition, in giant pandas. The creatures have a large brain size and multiple intricate cognitive abilities. However, they are solitary. The researchers wondered if that would play a role in the overall ability to recognize itself in a mirror. The experiment was conducted with thirty-four captive giant pandas varying in age, adult, subadult, and juvenile. Three separate tests were run at varying time intervals, a CMT (closed mirror test), OMT (open mirror test), WMT (watermark test), and MAT (mark test). The latter tests were performed with placing a mark on the panda’s forehead with water and red paint respectively. The pandas were observed one at a time over a period of months for nonmirror behavior and mirror directed behavior. Mirror directed behavior was categorized by viewing, investigating, aggressive behavior as attacking, threatening, backward walking, foot stamping, and playing.

The researchers found that, in adult and subadult giant pandas, aggressive behavior was shown for three days after the OMT, WMT, and MAT. This depicted the pandas identifying the reflection as a conspecific (1) or another panda separate from themselves. After the reflection showed no signs of danger, the panda’s ignored it for the duration of the testing. The same was said for the juvenile pandas, who initiated play with their reflections as another baby panda. They lacked MSR, but, within the area of what they viewed to be conspecific, became neutral to its presence. This information helps to debunk the conception that large brain animals are able to perceive their reflection. Likewise, it shows that giant pandas can be familiarized with one another, which may assist in the conservations efforts concerning them, and provide better care in captivity for their survival.

1. Ma, X., Jin, Y., Luo, B., Zhang, G., Wei, R., & Liu, D. (2015). Giant pandas failed to show mirror self-recognition. Animal Cognition, 18(3), 713-721.