Wolves susceptible to yawn contagion: Social bonds may increase yawning contagion between wolves

Date: 
August 27, 2014
Article source: 
Science Daily

Wolves may be susceptible to yawn contagion, according to a new study. Researchers suggest that contagious yawning may be linked to human capacity for empathy.

According to the authors, despite the small sample size these results may provide initial evidence that contagious yawning may relate to the wolves capacity for empathy, and suggests that basic building blocks of empathy might be present in a wider range of species than previously thought.