MSR Data: Mirror Self-Recognition Tests for Beluga Whales

MSR data contains behavioral observations from mirror self-recognition tests conducted on a social group of four beluga whales at the New York Aquarium. The dataset, created by Alexander Mildener and shared on figshare, includes responses to mirror and control conditions. Two whales exhibited self-directed behaviors, with one adult female showing evidence of passing a mark test.

Use Cases

• Analyzing behavioral responses to mirrors based on recorded interactions.
• Comparing self-directed and mark-directed behaviors across individual whales.
• Studying social group dynamics during cognitive testing based on the multi-individual setup.

Strengths

• Includes data from four beluga whales, one subadult and three adult females.
• Documents a rich suite of self-directed behaviors for two individuals.
• File size is 83.7 KB, indicating a focused and manageable dataset.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal and environmental bias inherent to a single aquarium setting.

Provenance

Source

Alexander Mildener

Collection Method

Standard mirror test with a two-way plexiglass mirror and transparent control surface, with behavioral responses recorded and analyzed.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-21 07:29:43; freshness should be verified.

Geography

New York Aquarium of the Wildlife Conservation Society.