Tickle time! 🙊

Chimpanzees can communicate and tease each other through tickling. This causes chimpanzees to laugh, meaning that tickling may be the evolutionary root of human laughter as well as our sense of humour.

#EarthCapture by Ramesh S. Krishnamurthy via Instagram

Could deforestation trigger the next pandemic? 🌳

James Ashworth explores how forests can act as our first line of defence against diseases that could trigger the next pandemic. #OurPlanetEarth

bbcearth.com/news/could-def…

Till death do us part 🧡

Puffins are known for their monogamous nature. They reinforce their connection with the same mate by gently rubbing their bills together.

#EarthCapture by Ísak Aron Víðisson via Instagram

This rock, known as the Devil’s Pulpit, and the blood-red river that runs around it have been the source of many stories over time. The unique colour is actually caused by the sandstone that lies beneath it, creating a red hue.

#EarthCapture by Matt Doogue via Instagram

This family of smooth-coated otters hold a territory in the very centre of the city in Singapore. Named the 'Zouk' family after the nightclub they were first spotted by, they patrol their territory to protect it from other otters.

📸 BBC Studios' Natural History Unit #Mammals

Storks are flying from Britain to North Africa again for the first time in 600 years, helped by a bold rewilding project in the grounds of an old English castle.

bbc.co.uk/future/article…

Oryx get enough hydration from their food to survive and therefore don't need to drink. They conserve their water well, which enables them to tolerate extreme heat in areas uninhabitable to most animals.

#EarthCapture by Solly Levi via Instagram.

Action shot 📷

The kingfisher’s renowned hunting skills are necessary, as they have a serious appetite – they have to eat their own bodyweight in food every day!

#EarthCapture by Spencer Burrows via Instagram

Filming the smallest dog in the world in the largest desert on Earth was a challenging shoot for the #Mammals team. The fennec fox is nocturnal, so the crew had to rely on drones and camera traps sensitive enough to film at night.

📸 BBC Studios' Natural History Unit.

Leopard spots, also referred to rosettes, resembles the shape of roses 🌹

The unique colour and pattern of these spots aid in camouflaging their bodies, as they navigate through grass and trees.

#EarthCapture by Suju Gasim via Instagram

We're excited to reveal the beautiful artwork for #Mammals 🐘 🐪 🐅

The series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, premieres this Sunday on BBC One and BBCiPlayer at 7pm in the UK and will be coming to other global regions soon 👀

Put your thinking TRUNKS on for this puzzle, Wordies! 🐅 🐪 🐘

Can you #unscramble this puzzle to find BBC Earth’s Word of the Day? Comment your answers below and test your animal vocabulary:

Find out where to watch at bbcearth.com/shows/mammals

Fearless mothers 🧡

Tiger mothers typically birth around 2-3 cubs in their litters approximately once every two years, where cubs will be nurtured and taught the art of hunting through observation, imitation and practice.

#EarthCapture by Rajumohan Kottakkal via Instagram

The blue crab is more than just food for Afro-descendant Esmeraldans, who live on Ecuador's emerald coast. It's an intrinsic part of the culture – and these women are fighting to save it.

bbc.com/future/article…

Cheetahs often sit atop dunes to locate their prey from a distance. Their eyesight is remarkable, and they are able to spot their prey from several hundred metres away.

#EarthCapture by Solly Levi via Instagram.

These stunning peaks are part of the Zanskar range, a group of mountains in the Himalayas. The highest point is the Kamet Peak at 25,446 feet tall.

#EarthCapture by Tanay Das via Instagram

The fan-throated lizard 🦎

Aptly named, the males of this species have a brightly-coloured dewlap on their throats. This is primarily for impressing potential mates and warning off other males from their territory.

#EarthCapture by Shrinath Bhatawadekar via Instagram.

Large herbivores, such as the tauros, are engineers that help distribute nutrients, allowing biodiversity and wildlife to thrive.

bbc.com/future/article…

Mates for life 🧡

Hornbills are known for their monogamous nature. The male will often bring food to his mate and both parents will care for their brood until they’re ready to leave the nest.

#EarthCapture by Sushil Khekare via Instagram