Refute the rumor! Can cats recognize themselves in the mirror? Expert: Cats have limited spatial awareness

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Can cats recognize themselves in the mirror?

Everyone will definitely say: "Of course, cats are very smart! The cat face special effects video that was very popular a while ago is a good proof."

It sounds like it's right, but it's been experimentally proven long ago: a cat may not know that the cat in the mirror is itself, but it may know that the cat in the mirror is its own kind.

(Here, the shit shoveling officials expressed dissatisfaction)

Let's start by looking at how cats react when they see themselves in the mirror.

The first: very calm or turn a blind eye, as if not caring about the cat in the mirror.

Second: Realizing that there is a cat in the mirror, but not knowing that the cat is me. At this time, the cat may arch its back and make a series of demonstration movements, always ready to attack. It may also be full of curiosity and want to meet the cat in the mirror. There will be some differences depending on the personality of the cat.

Do these performances prove that cats can't recognize themselves in the mirror?

The researchers believe that if an animal has an IQ, it should be able to recognize itself in a mirror.

Back in 1970, University of Albany psychologist Gordon Gallup did a "mirror test." This is done by anesthetizing the animals and applying odorless paint (such as the face) to visible places on their bodies. The animal was then placed in front of a mirror to see if the animal responded to the spot. These responses include turning around and adjusting body position to better see the markings in the mirror, or trying to touch the markings on one's body with a limb while looking in the mirror.

The result: neither the cat nor the dog passed the test.

The cat doesn't smear the marks on its head at all, it just treats the cat in the mirror as another cat. The cat will appear confused, then approach with interest and investigate the other's scent. Because cats identify each other largely by smell. When it sees its own image in the mirror, they lean over to smell the cat in the mirror.

But cats in mirrors don't smell. So many cats will attack themselves in the mirror. Some cats start off by intimidating themselves in the mirror, and then lose interest in the mirror when they realize something is wrong.

And primates can pass the test. Gorillas can easily look in the mirror to find their problems, cetaceans can pass the test, and some elephants and magpies can also pass the test.

What does the world look like in the eyes of cats?

It is said that cats cannot distinguish bright colors, it can only see dull blues and greens. In its eyes, red and orange are gray. So, color is not that important to cats.

(Comparison of the world in the eyes of humans and the world in the eyes of cats, photo from photographer: Nicholas Ram)

A cat's perception of external space has certain limitations, and it relies heavily on mechanical senses. When it senses an external force and cannot determine the source of the force or cannot get rid of the influence of this force, it will think that there is a problem with the external space, and will try to solve the problem by leaving the space.

For example, someone spoofed a cat before and put tape on the cat, and the cat would not be able to walk.

But even though cats and dogs don't recognize themselves in the mirror, that doesn't mean they have low IQs. Shit shoveling officers know that cats and dogs are much faster than humans in many ways. There are many factors that affect intelligence, such as observation, memory, imagination and creativity, and the mirror test on animals is only a very primitive practice.

For shit shoveling officers, their pets are the best. Cats and dogs don't recognize their own behavior in the mirror, but they make us think they are more adorable.

(The picture comes from the Internet, if there is any infringement, please contact to delete it; all kinds of improper behaviors such as moving and plagiarism are prohibited!

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