The world’s smallest species of bear has been found to communicate using facial expressions new research suggests.

According to new research by the journal, Scientific Reports, has suggested that the bears can copy each other’s facial expressions. It’s believed they use this method to communicate with each other.

According to the study the tiny fur covered DeVitos are the first non domesticated animals other than gorillas to display this behaviour. In a study of 22 of the bears 21 of them used open mouth expressions while playing with each other during face to face interactions.

Dr Marina Davila-Ross from the University of Portsmouth said that this could suggest other mammals could be capable of similar interactions. The Portsmouth professor said: “other primates and dogs are known to mimic each other, but only great apes and humans were previously known to show such complexity in their facial mimicry.”

The Sun Bear (pictured above) is a species of bear that only reach between 120-150cm which is about the same size as Danny DeVito. The largest of the bears weigh in at only 50kg for a female and 65kg for males which is about the same weight as 43 Darth Vader masks. However, it has been reported of the bears growing up to 80kg.

Also known as honey bears the species is endangered and live in South east Asia. While mostly solitary the bears have been found to engage in gentle and rough play. The use of facial expressions is often used to indicate they wish to engage in rougher play and to strengthen social bonds.

Co-author of the study Derry Taylor also from the university of Portsmouth said that: “As sun bears are a largely solitary species, our study of their facial communication questions this belief because it shows a complex form of facial communication that until now was known only in more social species.”