A Gorilla Family Curiously Examines a Mirror Without Realizing That They’re Looking at Themselves

Gorilla in Mirror

In a fascinating clip from the BBC Earth program Gorilla Family and Me, Scottish wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan captured amusing footage of his adopted gorilla family as they viewed themselves in a camera-backed mirror that he attached to a tree in order to gauge their responses. While Buchanan prepared himself for a raucous reaction, the curious primates instead calmly examined every aspect of the mirror including their own reflection, although Buchanan didn’t think that they necessarily made the connection that they were looking at themselves.

It’s been fascinating, but I would expect that it would take a lot more exposure to the mirror before the gorilla shows signs of self-recognition.

Curious Gorilla Checking Out Mirror

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.