Baby discovers his own tongue (video)
Remember the introductory Psych 101 course you took in college because it gave you four science credits, a built-in study group because all of your friends were taking it, and an easy class to skip because it was a 400-person lecture? What about studying Gordon Gallup Jr.'s ground breaking 1970 mirror test? No? Well, let us refresh your memory.
Gallup's research, based on observations made by Charles Darwin, sought to gauge self-awareness by determining whether an animal could recognize its own reflection in a mirror. Animals that "passed" (were able to identify their reflection) included all of the great apes, dolphins, elephants and orca whales (giant mirrors!).
Oddly enough, human babies failed the mirror test until they were about 18 months old. Little Jude here, however, seems to have figured it out. Not only has he discovered that the reflection in the mirror isn't a twin/doppelganger/playmate, but he's discovered the joys of his own tongue. Oh, the wonders of being young and fascinated by things as simple as mirrors!
Unlike Jude, this kitten (cats also fail the mirror test) is terrified of its own reflection, but it does make for an adorable video:
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