3 animals that evolved to laugh

LOL by JoAnna Wendel Dec. 10, 2020

Shutterstock Laughter helps us create bonds, strengthens our mental well-being, and can even help strengthen our bodies physically.

filadendron/E+/Getty Images After all, people are 30 percent more likely to laugh when with a group than alone.

Shutterstock These days, some therapists even prescribe “homeplay” rather than “homework,” to encourage people to experience the mental benefits of laughter.

Shutterstock The evolutionary origins of laughter aren’t well understood, but scientists theorize laughter evolved as a way to strengthen bonds between groups and individuals.

Shutterstock The origin of laughter appears to have occurred sometime between 10 and 16 million years ago.

But humans aren’t the only animals that laugh.

Shutterstock Some animals, like kookaburra and hyenas, may vocalize in a way that to our ears sounds like laughter, but for these animals the sounds don’t function as laughter.

Shutterstock When rats engage in play behavior or are tickled by a human, they emit a sound which can only be picked up by special microphones .

Shutterstock Baby chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans also make distinct, laughter-like vocalizations when tickled by humans.

Shutterstock The infamously mischievous kea parrot of New Zealand doesn’t exactly laugh, but it does produce a special “play call” which triggers play behavior in other keas — like infectious laughter.

Shutterstock Read more animal stories here .

3 animals that evolved to laugh

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