New on Animal Minds: Monkey See, Monkey Smile

Don't be fooled by those impressive teeth. These two gelada monkeys (Theropithecus gelada) are making play faces at each other — the simian equivalent of sharing a laugh. It's an example of rapid facial mimicry (RFM), a quick and involuntary mirroring of another individual's facial expression. Previously, it had only been observed in humans and orangutans. A new study documents RFM in geladas, adding another primate species to the list of animals capable of this surprisingly sophisticated emotional exchange.What makes RFM so special? Read the whole story at my Animal Minds blog: Monkey See, Monkey Smile.