Exploring the Evolutionary Origins of Animal Humor
The notion of humor as a distinctly human emotion is challenged as a new study suggests that animals, particularly great apes, engage in teasing behaviors akin to practical jokes. Isabelle Laumer, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), led the study, observing over 75 hours of videos featuring great apes such as orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas in zoo settings.
The research identified 18 distinct teasing behaviors among the apes, including poking, hitting, hindering movement, body slamming, and pulling on body parts. The intentional, provocative, and persistent nature of the teasing, coupled with elements of surprise and play, resembled the teasing behavior of young human children. This study challenges the traditional view that humor is exclusive to humans and suggests that a sense of humor may have been present in our last common ancestor with great apes, dating back 13 million years.
Teasing, a form of play, is considered by researchers as a potential foundation for more complex forms of humor, requiring cognitive abilities like theory of mind, knowledge of social norms, and an ability to anticipate and appreciate others’ responses. This shared behavior across all four incredible ape species implies a commonality in the evolutionary development of humor.
Beyond great apes, anecdotes and studies suggest that various animals exhibit behaviors that may indicate a sense of humor. In “The Descent of Man,” Biologist Charles Darwin suggested that dogs might possess a sense of humor, citing instances where dogs playfully engage in behaviors like carrying objects away to prompt their owners to chase them. Other animals, including dolphins, elephants, parrots, and even rats, have displayed behaviors resembling playfulness and teasing.
Researchers, like Jeffrey Burgdorf at Northwestern University, have explored animal laughter, with rats emitting high-pitched squeaks during tickling sessions. Burgdorf notes that play and humor contribute to animal brain development, suggesting a positive correlation between playful moods and cognitive performance.
Despite these intriguing observations, proving that animals possess a sense of humor remains challenging due to the lack of large-scale studies and the difficulty deciphering the motivations behind specific behaviors. While the evidence is primarily anecdotal, the idea that animals may share in the joy of humor prompts further exploration into the intricate world of animal emotions and social behaviors.
