• DaMonsterKnees@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Honest semi related question. How far down in the kingdom goes personal recognition of self? Does the squirrel see its reflection and think, “mmmhm, slay gurl,” or is that high order dolphin/elephant stuff?

    • ickplant@lemmy.worldOPM
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      1 year ago

      I think scientists try to figure this out all the time, that’s why we see headlines about dogs or dolphins or octopuses (octopodes?) being as smart as toddlers. We used to think pigs were dumb, but now we know they are quite intelligent. So I don’t think there is a definitive answer to your question yet.

    • Lemminary@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I’m a lot more intrigued to know how far down the evolutionary tree the squirrels start screaming “YAAAAAAAASSSSS”