Cute photos from the animal world repeatedly show that animals can laugh too. In fact, some animal species can display joyful behavior.
These animals can laugh
The phenomenon of laughter is not just reserved for humans. The expression of joy can also be seen in the animal world. Although animal laughter doesn't always sound exactly like human laughter, researchers have discovered some interesting examples of animals laughing.
- Monkeys: Chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas laugh in similar contexts to humans, especially during play or social interactions. Their laughter resembles a panting or giggling sound. For example, chimpanzees also laugh when tickled, and their laughter is often associated with playful behavior.
- Dolphins: There are also species among sea creatures that can laugh. Dolphins are considered highly intelligent animals that engage in complex social interactions. They make sounds that researchers interpret as laughter, especially during social play.
- The steering wheel: A surprising example, but research has shown that rats make a high-pitched squeak that is interpreted as a type of laughter, especially when they are playing or being tickled. These sounds are inaudible to the human ear because they are in a high ultrasonic range. The laughter of rats is interpreted as a sign of joy and social bonding.
- Parrots: The birds are able to imitate sounds, including human laughter. While they may not actually laugh, they may repeat learned laughter in appropriate situations, suggesting joy or learned behavior.
- Hyenas: The spotted hyena is probably one of the most famous examples of an animal that emits a laugh. The sound sounds like throaty, hysterical laughter, but is usually produced in stressful or aggressive situations, not as a sign of joy. Nevertheless, hyenas are often associated with the concept of laughter in the animal world because of their distinctive laughing sound.
- Dogs: The popular four-legged friends show behavior that can be interpreted as a kind of laughter. This laughter comes in the form of a panting sound and relaxed body language, especially during play. A “laughing dog” is often characterized by panting and an open mouth with a relaxed jaw and retracted corners of the mouth. This behavior is seen as a sign of well-being and joy.
- Elephants: Elephants make a deep trumpet or humming noise during playful or joyful moments, which is interpreted as a form of laughter. These sounds often occur when young elephants are playing with each other or adults are having positive social interactions.
- Kea: The New Zealand mountain parrot, a particularly interesting species, probably has the loudest laugh. When keas play, they make special calls that also trigger playful behavior in other keas. This sound has been identified by scientists as a play call, and it is contagious: other keas who hear the call often start playing too.
When do animals laugh?
The sounds of the animal world suggest a similarly joyful feeling as when people laugh: whether a dog frolicking in the forest or a monkey tickling. Animals' laughter can have different origins:
- While playing: Many animals, especially social species such as monkeys, dogs, and rats, laugh or make giggling sounds while playing with each other. This not only promotes their social bonds, but also signals to other animals that this is friendly behavior.
- Tickle: Some animals, such as chimpanzees and rats, show laughter in response to tickling or physical touch. This often happens in relaxed and playful situations where the animals feel safe.
- In stressful or exciting situations: In hyenas, laughter is a sign of stress or nervousness, but can also occur in social contexts. In these situations, they use it to express their emotions and communicate their social hierarchies. So it can also have a reason other than joyful feelings.