“Laughing Animals” explores the exciting possibility that laughter, or something very much like it, isn't unique to humans. It ventures into the world of animal behavior, examining whether other species experience and express humor through vocalizations and actions. Delving into comparative psychology, ethology, and neuroscience, the book investigates how laughter-like behavior in animals might reveal crucial insights into their emotions, social lives, and cognitive abilities. Through a multidisciplinary approach, “Laughing Animals” presents evidence supporting the existence of laughter-like behavior across the animal kingdom. Readers will discover how primates exhibit laughter-like vocalizations during play and how rodents emit ultrasonic “chuckles” that promote social bonding. By analyzing animal vocalizations and social interactions, the book highlights the potential evolutionary roots of laughter and its role in animal welfare. The book progresses from defining laughter to exploring primate laughter and rodent chuckles. The book adopts a balanced perspective, reviewing existing literature while offering new interpretations of animal laughter-like behavior. By connecting these findings to evolutionary biology, cognitive science, and animal welfare, “Laughing Animals” provides a comprehensive understanding of the shared emotional experiences that connect humans and animals.
