65 Different Species of Animals Laugh, Says a New Study

[Judi Lynn]

By Good News Network -Jan 28, 2022

Human laughter is common, but it’s a somewhat mysterious part of our evolution. It’s clear to evolutionary scholars that we laugh as a part of play, signaling our cooperation or friendliness. But how did laughter evolve? And are humans the only ones who do it?

Not a chance: Animals laugh too, researchers have observed.

Primatologist and UCLA anthropology graduate student Sasha Winkler and UCLA professor of communication Greg Bryant have taken a closer look at the phenomenon of laughter across the animal kingdom.

The pair combed through the existing scientific literature on animal play behavior, looking for mentions of vocal play signals—or what might be thought of as laughter.

They found such vocal play behavior documented in at least 65 species. That list includes a variety of primates, domestic cows and dogs, foxes, seals, and mongooses, as well as three bird species, including parakeets and Australian magpies.

More:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/at-least-65-species-of-animal-laugh-study-finds/

[littlemissmartypants]

1. After having him for just a few months, I became concerned about my Pomeranian.

He spent lots of time panting heavily and I was concerned that he might have doggy asthma or some other respiratory ailment.

The vet said he was just happy and like many other creatures, he was laughing. My anxiety quickly changed to amazement.

I had no idea dogs laugh. I'm so happy he does though because it keeps me cheery and reminds me to be grateful for the little things in life.

Thank you for sharing this, Judi Lynn. Another great find!

❤

[Judi Lynn]

8. Great vet you had, LMSP. Amazing. Dogs are gifts to human people.

Pomeranians are beautiful little ones! ❤️️

[DFW]

2. I've always thought dogs and primates did that

Although, come to think of it, it almost seems that great white sharks grin widely before biting off your lower torso.

[Shermann]

4. Their sense of gallows humor is unmatched! nt

[Sanity Claws]

3. Let me add that I think cats smile at jokes

I will swear that my cats have smiled at jokes. They understand a lot more language than we give them credit for.

[mopinko]

5. i had an african grey that laughed a lot.

lots of parrots laugh, in context.
lots of stories out there about them making jokes, even.

[ret5hd]

6. Tell me this horse isn't laughing:

[lastlib]

7. I would be surprised if elephants don't laugh...

they're so intelligent.

Surprised that domestic cows laugh--I never observed it in ours (although one seemed to get joy from kicking the milk bucket...another story....)