• Question: What is the most common facial expression you have found among animals to be?

    Asked by ruthimd to Bridget on 16 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Bridget Waller

      Bridget Waller answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Hi Ruthimd,

      Very good question. Each species seems to have it’s own set of facial expressions, so it is hard to say which is more common overall. BUT, there is one expression which is very common among primates – the bared-teeth expression. This looks very much like the human smiles, which is no coincidence, because it is the same expression! Most social primate use some form of this expression to show peaceful intentions and/or submission. Here is a picture from one of my recent articles on this topic:

      http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/05/scienceshot-sympathy-from-the-de.html

      Great question – thanks for asking!

      Bridget

Comments