Do Animals Laugh?

Animal vocalizations during play closely resemble human laughter, reports Live Science. Laughter fosters connection and bonding among humans. While the reasons for laughter differ by individual and culture, the characteristic sound remains recognizable across diverse groups.

This raises the question: Do animals laugh? Do their triggers for laughter align with human experiences? Human laughter can signify a range of emotions, including joy or disgust. In contrast, it remains uncertain if non-human animals possess a humor sense akin to ours.

Many animals produce unique sounds during play; researchers consider these vocalizations akin to laughter. Scientists recently explored how widespread play vocalizations are among animals. Their investigation identified 65 species engaging in "laughter" during play, primarily among mammals, but also including some bird species. This analysis may guide scientists in tracing human laughter’s evolutionary origins.

Researchers suggest that different play behaviors, sometimes resembling fighting, lead animals to vocalize during nighttime activities. This vocalization helps reduce aggression, according to a study published in Bioacoustics on April 19. Play remains a repetitive, independent behavior, separate from mating or foraging, said lead author Sasha Winkler, a biological anthropology doctoral candidate at UCLA.

When identifying playful behavior, experts often say, "You know it when you see it." Winkler explained that primates, our closest relatives, display a "play face" similar to human expressions during play. While studying rhesus macaques, she noticed the monkeys often pant quietly when engaging in games. Other primate species, like lemurs and gorillas, also engage in vocal expressions during play.

Winkler and co-author Greg Bryant sought to determine whether laughter among animals is widespread. They reviewed numerous previous studies for references to vocal signals in play, similar to those observed in macaques.

Their research yielded many examples of such vocalizations across the mammal literature, particularly in primates, rodents, and some marine mammals.

Make 'em Laugh

Certain sounds occur only during play. Examples include the purring of vervet monkeys, the ultrasonic trills of rats, the whistles of bottlenose dolphins, and the peeps of squirrel monkeys. Various primate species, such as chimpanzees and baboons, demonstrate playful vocalizations, ranging from quiet chuckles to loud squeals.

Interestingly, though most laughing animals belong to the mammal class, researchers noted that two bird species — the Australian magpie and the kea parrot — also vocalize while playing. A study from 2017 showed that kea parrots respond to recordings of their laughter, initiating play among them. This indicates kea laughter acts as an invitation, encouraging playful interaction.

However, a lack of reported laughter persists concerning fish, amphibians, and reptiles. This may stem from uncertainties regarding the existence of play in these animal groups.

The emergence of laughter in humans is believed to tie back to play—supported by various primate vocalization patterns. Researchers propose that human laughter likely evolved from basic panting sounds, eventually becoming the unique "ha ha ha" we know now. While humans laugh during play, we also incorporate it into language in versatile ways, expressing a spectrum of emotions.

Notably, human laughter stands apart from animal laughter in terms of volume. Humans laugh loudly to express inclusion in social groups, while the laughter of most animals tends to be subtle, in-volume, yet sufficient for communicating with partners.

"It's fascinating how many animals share vocalizations during play," Winkel remarked. "However, unique aspects of human laughter provide a crucial area for future research."

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