... with training, even pigeons can pass Gallup's mirror test. The problem with Gallup's interpretation is that there are people who cannot recognize themselves in mirrors, and yet nobody doubts they are fully self-aware. Blind people cannot recognize themselves in mirrors but we have plenty of other indications that they are self-aware. Consciousness varies with age, culture, experience and gender. And if animals have conscious experiences, these presumably vary widely as well. Researchers considered what an animal might be conscious of. It seems more likely than not that some animals are aware of objects and events that are critically important in their lives, such as what food is tasty, which animals are dangerous predators, and whether particular companions are friendly or aggressive. Svene Sjolander said that snakes were not conscious because it does not have a centralized representation of its prey. It seems to live in a world where a mouse is many different ...

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