Friday, April 01, 2005

Animals Laughed Long Before Humans, Study Says

Animals Laughed Long Before Humans, Study Says
(National Geographic News)
There is ample evidence that many other mammals make play sounds, including tickle-induced panting, which resembles human laughter. Indeed, animals are capable of many emotional feelings, just like humans, some scientists say.

“The recognition by neuroscientists that the brain mechanisms underlying pain, pleasure, fear, and lust are the same in humans and other mammals underscores our similarity to other species and is extremely important,” said Tecumseh Fitch, a psychology lecturer at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Most likely they were laughing at the early hominids, those clumsy apes. But … last laugh’s on us, suckers!

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