Domesticated dogs, wolves and chimpanzees are also susceptible to yawn contagion like humans.

This means one wolf that is yawning in a pack can lead other wolves to yawn as well, said researchers from the University of Tokyo,

The study was published in the journal PLOS One

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Studies in the past have shown that domesticated dogs that witness their owners yawning may also be influenced to yawn. Scientists, however, couldn't quite comprehend whether or not this was due to domestication or rooted in the dogs' biological evolution.

In the study, scientists observed and recorded the yawning patterns of a pack consisting of 12 wolves at the Tama Zoological in Japan. Authors recorded exact times of the yawn, which animal yawned first and the positions of the other wolves around it when the yawn happened.

What they discovered was that like human beings and domesticated dogs, yawning was contagious between members of the pack, especially those that were "close associates".

Canine behavior expert Monique Udell of Oregon State University in Corvallis, who wasn't part of the study, noted that "previous studies concluded that contagious yawning was unique to dogs due to their domestication. This new study shows that might not be the case."

Researchers also found that male wolves yawned more frequently. On the other hand, female wolves were quicker to be empathetic compared to males, yawning at a more rapid rate upon seeing another member of the pack yawn.

"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," said lead study author Teresa Romero.

Scientists believe yawning is a subconscious means of showing solidarity amongst members of the pack.

These findings confirm the strong social bond between members of the pack, leading scientists to conclude members of a pack are capable of understanding each other.