Are animals self-conscious?

There are different animals that are being observed in order to figure out if they would be self-conscious, just like most humans are. They usually become self-conscious when they mirror other animals just like them. While they are usually aware of the things that other animals are doing, they may not exhibit the same method of self-consciousness that people usually show.

There was a time when people thought that only human beings would show self-awareness, but through the studies, it is possible that different living things have various levels of self-awareness. They do not have to be exactly the same, but this definitely exists.

Self-awareness is defined as the conscious knowledge of one’s character and feelings. Recent studies suggest that not only humans have the trait of self-awareness; some animals could have this unique trait as well. Although animals might ponder on life, the future, or death, they may still have some level of consciousness.

I believe that there is a degree of self-awareness. Higher animals are able to understand their body, they know how to avoid pain, they know their territory, and they know what is theirs. Animals such as Orangutans, Chimpanzees, Gorillas, and Bottlenose Dolphins are known to have little sense of awareness. An animal’s awareness of its own body, territory, and property ultimately equates to a sense of self.