Snakes show signs of self recognition in a smell based 'mirror test'

Описание: Eastern garter snakes might recognize their own scents, suggesting the reptiles are more cognitively complex than thought, according to a new study.
For decades, scientists have used the “mirror test” to determine whether different species are capable of self-recognition. In it, researchers observe whether animals, when marked with paint somewhere on their body and placed before a mirror, investigate the artificial spot. Passed by primates, dolphins, elephants and even certain fish, the test has been thought to measure social intelligence.
Now, scientists have carried out a new spin on the experiment with two species of snakes. Because of the reptiles’ poor vision, researchers tweaked the typical mirror test to appeal to their sense of smell.
The researchers tested 18 African ball pythons, a solitary snake species, and 36 eastern garter snakes, which are known to be more social. They collected body oil samples from the snakes and set each one in a long testing arena.
Snakes demonstrate many of the same cognitive and perceptual mechanisms as other animals if you study them in the right way, ask the right questions and respect their biology and way of dealing with the world.