Primate Win

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Hi, I'm Jess, and I'm 22. I live out in the English countryside.

I love all animals, but I've always had a soft spot for Primates.

I have a diploma in Primatology, and another in Zoology. I have a BA (Hons) degree in Media, which I wish I'd never done.

I have recently become a voluntary Ambassador for Wild Futures, a UK based primate charity and sanctuary.

I'm also a huge Potterhead, and would have studied Care of Magical Creatures at NEWT level if only my letter hadn't gotten lost in the Muggle post.

Feel free to submit at
primatewin.tumblr.com/submit

Ask me a question at
primatewin.tumblr.com/ask

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June 25, 2011

Chimpanzees Find Yawning Contagious, Too - If They Are Friends

23 adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) were separated into two groups, and were shown videos of familiar chimpanzees both yawning, and just going about their usual business, as well as videos of unfamiliar chimpanzees.

The video of the familiar chimapanzee yawning resulted in the subjects yawning - while the video of the familiar chimpanzee just being a chimpanzee showed no effect.

When the video showed an un-familiar chimpanzee yawning, there was no detectable effect amongst the subjects.

Contagious yawning is thought to be based on the capacity for empathy. Contagious yawning in chimpanzees provides further evidence that these apes may possess advanced self-awareness and empathic abilities.