Tickled Apes Reveal the Rhythmic Roots of Laughter

A group of chimpanzees playfully interact in a natural setting, with one being gently tickled by a researcher, eliciting laughterlike vocalizations.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications in September 2023, suggest that these laughter-like sounds may serve social functions, similar to human laughter. The researchers noted that the vocalizations were often accompanied by playful behaviors, indicating a deeper emotional connection among the apes during these interactions. This discovery is significant as it challenges previously … Read more