Think about it: Without an understanding of reflections, mirrors are quite terrifying. There’s another creature who looks exactly like you, moves exactly like you, and makes direct, sustained eye contact with you — but you can never touch it, and when you leave the room, it disappears. It sounds a lot like a bad riddle, but it’s all too literal. No wonder the cats (and other animals) in these videos lose their minds when they encounter a mirror for the first time.

1. Where is the other kitten?

This smart little kitten looks behind the mirror in search of her identical companion, and she is quite confused and dismayed when she cannot find her.

2. An interspecies phenomenon

This video proves that a fascination with mirrors affects all species, from cats and dogs to lizards and peacocks. But, truthfully, the cats’ reactions are the best, what with the puffed-up tails and head-on collisions and such.

3. Fierce predators afraid of own reflections

Big cats may be among nature’s fiercest predators, but this video proves that they’re unable to conquer their fear of their own reflections. (Except for that one tiger with a healthy body image who thinks she’s just the prettiest.)

4. Alpha cat meets his match

This handsome ginger boy is clearly the head of his household, so when he meets an identical cat with identical floof and identical little white paws, he will stop at nothing to defend his territory from this impostor.

5. Why so dramatic?

When this cat catches sight of himself in the mirror, he looks like he’s just been told there’s a worldwide shortage of treats.

Does your cat lose his mind at the sight of his own face? Tell us in the comments!

Watch more cat videos:

• 5 Videos That Prove Big Cats are Just Like Little Cats
• The 7 Deadly Sins, as Demonstrated by Cat Videos
• Is Your Cat a Jerk? Take This Quiz to Find Out!
• 5 Important Life Lessons You Can Learn From Cat Videos
• Everything We Know About Confidence We Learned From These Siamese Cats
• This Cat Is Better at Jenga Than You Are, and Other Harsh Truths
• 5 Actionable Steps to Improve Your Bottom Line (Just Kidding! Here’s a Music Video About Kittens in Space!)
• Tips for Professional Development: Stop Working and Look at These Cats!

Learn more about your cat with Catster:

• I’m Willing to Bet That Your Cat Hates Her Litter Box — Here’s Why
• Weird Cat Facts: 8 Reasons Your Cat Likes to Lick You
• Our Best Tips for Getting Your Cat to Let You Sleep

About Angela: This not-crazy-at-all cat lady loves to lint-roll her favorite dress and go out dancing. She also frequents the gym, the vegan coffee joint, and the warm patch of sunlight on the living room floor. She enjoys a good cat rescue story about kindness and decency overcoming the odds, and she’s an enthusiastic recipient of headbutts and purrs from her two cats, Bubba Lee Kinsey and Phoenix.