# Beluga whales pass mirror self-recognition test for first time

2026-08-14T10:58:31+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

A study at the New York Aquarium has found that beluga whales can recognise themselves in a mirror, adding the species to a rare list of self-aware animals. The research, led by cognitive psychologist Diana Reiss and published in PLOS ONE in May 2026, tested four female belugas across 98 sessions in 2001. Two whales, Natasha and her daughter Maris, showed self-directed behaviours like bubble-blowing and barrel-rolling before the mirror. Natasha also passed a mark test, inspecting a temporary mark on her body using the reflection, according to the Times of India. Only a handful of species, including humans, great apes, bottlenose dolphins, Asian elephants and magpies, have passed the mirror test. Belugas are the first non-delphinid cetacean to show such evidence. Critics argue the test is biased towards visually dependent species, the report notes.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/in-2001-scientists-tested-4-beluga-whales-at-a-new-york-aquarium-98-sessions-later-it-was-found-the-arctic-whales-may-recognise-themselves/articleshow/133235142.cms>

Tags: animal cognition, beluga whales, mirror test, New York Aquarium, self-awareness, study
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