Updates On 2nd Jun 2014

Its Monday! Did you yawn yourself to work or school this morning?

Macaques, just like us, yawn when they’re sleepy. Yawning in macaques does have a function: in tense situations, they yawn to show their teeth. In the wild, adult male macaques yawn in a yawning contest, almost, to show off their canines.

It is a familiar feeling: that need to suddenly yawn as soon as someone else in the room does it. Scientists know that humans and other great apes can “catch” yawns from each other but now they have evidence that the lesser primates such as macaques are susceptible too. One hypothesis is related to empathy. Humans and chimpanzees catch yawns from each other and the idea is that because they empathise with the yawning individual that, in turn, will trigger us to yawn.

So don’t be surprise if you find yourself yawning the next time you see a macaque yawning! (But of course, please keep that respectable distance)

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152187610646523&se..

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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