Could Wolves Understand Empathy?

Could wolves feel empathy? A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE shows that just like humans and other types of dogs, these creatures are also susceptible to yawn contagion.

With yawning contagion, scientists from the University of Tokyo, Japan, actually believe that these animals may be capable of understanding others in the pack.

Previous studies have shown that contagious yawning is experienced in domestic dogs who also witness their owners yawning. However, up until now, scientists were uncertain of how the phenomenon rooted in the evolution of mammals or whether it evolved due to domestication.

For the study, researchers monitored and recorded yawning in a pack of 12 wolves at Tama Zoological in Japan. For their research, the study authors also recorded the exact time of the yawn, the identity of the initial yawn and the position of other nearby animals when the yawning occurred.

"In wolves, as well as in primates and dogs, yawning is contagious between individuals, especially those that are close associates," said lead study author Teresa Romero of the university, in a news release. "These results suggest that contagious yawning is a common ancestral trait shared by other mammals and that such ability reveals an emotional connection between individuals."

Findings revealed that the strength of the pack member's social bond with yawning wolves influenced how often they actually yawned. The study also showed that female wolves were quicker than male counterparts to yawn while observing others with similar behavior.