Many species in this order of mammals have been praised for their intelligence, resourcefulness, and understanding of social systems. However, new research indicates that self-awareness might be overwhelming for some of our primate friends.
A study appearing in the latest edition of Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences found that wild baboons showed no evidence of visual self-recognition (VSR). This indicates that primates outside the family of great apes are unable to recognise themselves in a mirror without previous experience under laboratory conditions.
The study involved 51 baboons being placed in front of a mirror and having a laser pointer aimed at them. The baboons had been placed in front of the mirror for some time before becoming familiar. Out of every baboon tested in this scenario, only one responded to the laser by touching its own face and didn't respond to other instances where the laser was shone at it.
These results suggest that wild baboons could not meet the criteria for VSR, as the rate of touching did not differ from when no laser was shone at the baboons. Although they demonstrated an awareness of the mirror's reflective surface properties, the study still indicates that baboons and other monkey species do not possess the same capacity for VSR as great apes.