Koko's "brilliant pink" awareness

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Published 2009-08-03

Koko is looking at a sign language dictionary and points to the sign "wet" in the book. Penny tries to explain the sign to Koko. Then Penny notices that Koko's tongue is "brilliant pink" (Koko had been drawing with non-toxic marker pens, which she tried to taste). To show Koko how pink her tongue is, Penny brings a mirror. Koko is quite adept at using mirrors, and after looking at her tongue, notices that she has glitter on her nose, tries to remove it, and then examines her tongue again (signing "red frown-mouth frown-red").

It used to be thought that only humans could recognize themselves in mirrors, and display self-awareness. Thanks to studies like Project Koko, we now know that all great apes have this ability.

Lesson: Koko demonstrates levels of awareness similar to humans.

Date Added: Aug 1, 2007
Videographer: Ron Cohn

All Comments (21)

@SWLinPHX 9 years ago

I think if I was dying my "Make A Wish" would be to get a hug from Koko.
@cupcakedolphin 9 years ago

I believe whenever Koko signs the word "polite" she is using it as one would use the word 'please'. She always says polite then says something she wants.
@TheEvolNemesis 11 years ago

She's so smart. I still remember reading in the book by that lady who takes care of her, about how Koko made her quit smoking... She told Koko that cigarettes and tobacco were bad and poison, so Koko found her pipe and broke it, and flushed her cigarettes... then when she asked her about it Koko said she didn't want her to die.
@candiceruth10 8 years ago

Koko is smarter than me.
@Guardiandown895 12 years ago

She is amazing isn't she? Apparently a huge heart to boot.
@sunsand7062 10 years ago

Polite = means for Koko. Everytime KOKO says "polite", he means "please"
@Beartallica86 9 years ago

At 1:37 "What the hell you laughing at?"
@Arpege92 11 years ago

Koko is so beautiful...I don't even know her but I do love her!
@mehsmehmeh 11 years ago

More like: Lady: BLABLABLA Koko: GOOD LADY, VERY SMART!
@MumblebooCP 9 years ago

I love koko I wish I could meet her
@joegaito702 1 year ago

Always learning something new each day from koko very smart and bright animals to bad I didn't get the chance to meet her RIP koko you will be missed appreciate you thanks ! Joe
@ladypainter496 4 years ago

Koko is Better than most of her kind ... There will NEVER ! be another KOKO 😢😭
@mercuri4Lme 10 years ago

Isn't Koko trying to say wet is like saliva?
@freeair9460 4 years ago

When I saw Koko 35 years ago I was an avid Hunter. I've never hunted or shot an animal since
@pedi007 12 years ago

Just WOW. Thank you for uploading these video's
@danix454 11 years ago

Case in point that humans are competitive and can't just appreciate a video for its purity and simplicity.
@bonniegordon4641 1 year ago

LOVE HER! She's missed!
@Ricorican77 10 years ago

i wish i can meet koko shes so smart
@seankennedy5074 6 years ago

Koko seems like the sweetest person.
@ericperrin3361 10 years ago

Long after our time, humanity will long remember these words: "Red frown mouth...frown frown red." Thats right Koko...thats right.