高三十月天天练（Animals 动物）选自New Scientist
Roosters act differently when faced with another chicken versus just their own reflection. This may mean that the birds can recognise themselves in a mirror, a key test of self-awareness in animals. The way researchers tailored this mirror test to roosters may open up new methods of determining self-recognition in a diversity of animal species.
In the traditional mirror self-recognition test, developed in 1970, researchers place a mark on an animal’s body in a spot that it could only see reflected in a mirror. They note if the animal inspects or touches the mark while examining its reflection, suggesting it understands the reflection represents its own body. Precious few non-human species have passed this test, but those that have include some great apes, dolphins, elephants and magpies. In recent yea
rs, a few researchers have claimed other species – such as penguins, horses, cleaner wrasse fish and manta rays – have passed the test, but not without controversy.
Results from this test are often highly variable. Sonja Hillemacher at the University of Bonn in Germany and her colleagues wondered if this has less to do with the animals not recognising themselves, and more to do with the fact that there is little natural motivation for many animals to investigate the marks. Looking at behaviours relevant to a species’ day-to-day life may give more reliable insights, she says.
The team designed a modified mirror test specifically for roosters, taking into account their natural behaviors and social interactions. They introduced two scenarios: one where the rooster encountered another rooster, and the other where it faced its own reflection. Surprisingly, the roosters displayed distinct behaviors in the two situations, indicating a recognition of self versus other.
When facing another rooster, the test subjects exhibited aggressive postures and vocalizations, attempting to establish dominance or defend their territory. In contrast, upon
encountering their own reflection, the roosters showed signs of self-exploration, such as extended inspection of their appearance, gentle pecking at the mirror, and even attempts to preen themselves in response to perceived imperfections.
These nuanced responses suggest that roosters possess a level of self-awareness, enabling them to differentiate between their own reflection and another member of their species. Further studies are now underway to determine the cognitive mechanisms underlying this ability and whether it extends to other aspects of their social behavior.
Hillemacher and her team believe that this tailored approach to mirror testing could revolutionize the assessment of self-recognition across various animal species. By customizing the methodology to suit the specific behavioral patterns and cognitive capacities of different animals, researchers may uncover a more comprehensive understanding of self-awareness in the animal kingdom. This groundbreaking research not only sheds light on the cognitive abilities of roosters but also paves the way for a more inclusive and accurate evaluation of self-awareness in diverse species.
1. What is the significance of roosters acting differently when faced with another chicken versus their own reflection?
- A. Their aggressive behavior is a sign of fear
- B. It indicates their ability to recognize themselves in a mirror
- C. They are displaying territorial behavior
- D. They are responding to a threat from their own reflection
Correct Answer: B
2. In the traditional mirror self-recognition test, where do researchers typically place a mark on the animal's body?
- A. A spot visible only to the animal
- B. On the animal's facereact to the recent
-
C. On the animal's back
- D. On the animal's leg
Correct Answer: A
3. What did the modified mirror test designed for roosters involve?
- A. Introducing them to other animals
- B. Observing their feeding behavior
- C. Presenting them with their own reflection and that of another rooster
- D. Monitoring their sleep patterns
Correct Answer: C
4. What behavior did the roosters exhibit when encountering their own reflection in the modified mirror test?
- A. Fearful retreat
- B. Vocalization for attention
- C. Aggressive confrontation
- D. Signs of self-exploration
Correct Answer: D
5. According to the article, what potential impact could the tailored approach to mirror testing have on the study of self-recognition in animals?
- A. No significant impact
- B. Limited applicability
- C. Revolutionize assessment across various species
- D. Remain controversial and unproven
Correct Answer: C
The lethal form of bird flu that has been killing millions of wild birds around the world has spread south to the Antarctic region, where it is feared it will have a devastating impact on seals and whales as well as birds such as penguins and albatrosses. It could even lead to extinctions.

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