The famous self-recognition test developed by psychologist Gordon Gallup Jr. tests the ability of an animal to recognize itself. The standard protocol involves a red spot on the forehead of the animal and a mirror for the animal to look up. This implementation is appropriate for animals with a strong visual sense, e.g. humans or non-human primates. A generalized self-recognition protocol should respects the cognitive specificity of each species, such as primates (visual dominance) or canids (olfactory dominance).
Image screen-captured from the video
Scientific Speciesism: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism (2026)
with Christine Webb