Cats and dogs often pounce or bark at their reflection in a mirror, but what happens when larger, wild animals are put face-to-face with their reflection?

A photographer set up a mirror and motion sensors to find out and has released a hilarious video capturing their bemusement - and in some cases - aggression.

It revealed that chimps will use the opportunity to preen themselves while leopards and gorillas will paw and charge at the familiar-looking 'foe'.

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A photographer set up a mirror and cameras in Gabon. He then filmed what happened when wild animals approached the mirror. Some, like this gorilla, couldn't cope with seeing their own reflection and charged at it

The experiment was performed by French photographer Xavier Hubert Brierre.

He travelled to Gabon with his wife to set up a mirror in several locations and capture wild animals walking by.

To capture the images, he hid cameras in security boxes and set up motion sensors that would trigger the cameras whenever some wildlife walked close to the mirrors.

THE MIRROR TEST A method used to test if animals have the ability of self-recognition is called the 'mirror test'. It gauges self-awareness by determining whether an animal can recognise its own reflection in a mirror as an image of itself. The animal is marked with a dye and, when placed before a mirror, will react to demonstrate it is aware that the dye in the mirror is located on its own body. Humans do not pass the test until between 18 months and two years of age. Advertisement

The results are fascinating, with one amusing reaction including a leopard trying to paw at the companion he can see.

In another a huge silverback gorilla stares at his reflection for a while, before charging at the mirror and attempting to confront what he thinks is another animal.

An elephant is also seen having a brief look before serenely walking away.

And groups of chimpanzees are seen spending time near the mirror, with some appearing to use it to preen themselves.

Despite the long days and attacks by various insects found in the African undergrowth, Mr Brierre said the experience was a thoroughly enjoyable one.

The experiment was performed by French photographer Xavier Hubert Brierre. He travelled to Gabon with his wife to set up a mirror in several locations and capture wild animals (silverback gorilla) walking by

‘I had to wash the mirrors on which leopards and monkeys left greasy streaks, traces of blood and faeces left by insects hitting their surface ignoring their reflective property,’ he said.

‘Myself and my wife spent many long days at the site, often being attacked by different types of fly and bees.’

Interestingly, only a few animals like humans are able to recognise their own reflection, known as the mirror self-recognition test.

A group of chimpanzees seemed to cope with their reflection, with some using it as an opportunity to preen themselves in the mirror (pictured)

A leopard is seen here staring at its reflection. One leopard tried to attack the companion that it saw. In another shot, an elephant is also seen having a brief look before serenely walking away

The mirror provided the animals with a perfect view of the world back towards them. Interestingly, only a few animals like humans are able to recognise their own reflection, known as the mirror self-recognition test

Humans typically show self-recognition from an age of about 18 months.

Most animals respond to seeing their own reflection with aggressive behaviour, but a small number of species - such as certain primates - can display human-like recognition.

One gorilla, a western lowland gorilla named Koko, showed signs of passing the mirror test in 1993, but western silverback gorillas like the one seen in Gabon typically get more aggressive.

The only bird ever to pass the mirror test, meanwhile, was a Eurasian magpie, which could see a sticker on its throat by itself and in a mirror.

Mr Brierre (pictured) said: '‘I had to wash the mirrors on which leopards and monkeys left greasy streaks, traces of blood and faeces left by insects hitting their surface ignoring their reflective property’

To capture the images, Mr Brierre (left) hid cameras in security boxes and set up motion sensors that would trigger the cameras whenever some wildlife walked close to the mirrors