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Get a load of this: Humans and great apes share similar giggles
By Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
Humans and great apes have been giggling in similar ways since branching off the evolutionary tree, a new study suggests.How do we know this? Researchers tickled 13 captive apes — including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos — and recorded the results. The new research reexamined those...
Key takeaway “In a way, we are very similar to other great apes because we’ve been laughing in a similar way for 15 million years,” said study author Chiara De Gregorio, a primatologist at the University of Warwick in England.
Why this matters in Magnolia News
The discovery that humans and great apes share similar giggles has interesting implications for Magnolia residents who value community and social connections. Laughter is a universal language that can bring people together, and understanding its evolution can provide insights into human communication. In a community like Magnolia, where public events and festivals are common, laughter plays a significant role in building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging. The fact that human laughter has become faster and more complex over time, adapting to different social contexts, suggests that Magnolia residents may be able to tap into this primal language to strengthen their community bonds. Furthermore, the study's findings may encourage local animal lovers to explore the laughter patterns of their pets, such as dogs and horses, to better understand their behavior and social needs. By examining the origins of laughter, Magnolia residents may gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human and animal communication.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Humans and great apes have been giggling in similar ways since branching off the evolutionary tree, a new study suggests.How do we know this? Researchers tickled 13 captive apes — including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos — and recorded the results. The new research reexamined those...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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