This Bear Mimics Facial Expressions Like Humans
By: NDTVNewsDesk
Image: Pexels
The sun bear, the world's smallest bear, can mimic facial expressions like humans and gorillas.
Image: Pexels
They copy each other's facial expressions during play, specifically open-mouth expressions.
Image: Pexels
This mimicry is precise, matching the partner's expression, similar to humans and apes.
Image: Pexels
This challenges the idea that complex communication is exclusive to highly social species, as sun bears are generally solitary.
Image: Pexels
Research suggests that sophisticated social communication, once thought unique to primates, might be more common in mammals.
Image: Pexels
They have a unique yellow or orange "U" or crescent-shaped mark, like a rising sun, with no two markings identical.
Image: Pexels
They have large, strong forepaws with long, curved claws for climbing and digging.
Image: Pexels
Sun bears have small, round ears and a short snout with relatively large canine teeth for their size.
Image: Pexels
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