Date: July 30th, 2026 11:31 PM
Author: Jared Baumeister
They flaunt their intelligence in behavioral tests that use mirrors to check for self-awareness. Only a few species, including great apes and bottlenose dolphins, can recognize their own reflections, rather than attacking or ignoring the mirror.
Manta rays might also recognize themselves. In a 2016 study, Ari found that captive mantas swam repetitively back and forth in front of a mirror for an unusually long time, while they examined body parts that they otherwise wouldn’t see. The rays rolled and unrolled the short, horn-shaped fins around their mouths 10 times more often than without the mirror, and blew bubbles while looking at the mirror — unusual repeated behaviors that could imply self-recognition.
The rays didn’t respond to their reflection like it was another individual, Ari said. When mantas see a new individual, or have intense social interaction, the white coloration also intensifies on their head and back. But in this case the mantas didn’t change color while looking in the mirror. This leaves the door open for self-awareness, but doesn’t prove it, Ari stressed. More tests are the next step toward a definitive answer.
https://oceana.org/blog/manta-ray-brainpower-blows-other-fish-out-water-10/
(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5887854&forum_id=2ГѓЖ’#50035896)