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Get a load of this: Humans and great apes share similar giggles
By Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· 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 Alamo Heights News
The discovery that humans and great apes share similar giggles has intriguing implications for our understanding of communication and social behavior. In Alamo Heights , where community events and social gatherings are a staple of local life, the role of laughter in building connections is particularly relevant. As residents come together to enjoy festivals, parades, and other celebrations, they often use laughter to break the ice and establish a sense of camaraderie. The fact that our laughter patterns have evolved from a common ancestor with great apes suggests that this ability to laugh and play together is deeply ingrained in our nature. By studying the origins of laughter, scientists may uncover new insights into how humans developed complex social behaviors, which could have interesting applications for community-building initiatives in Alamo Heights and beyond. As local researchers and scientists continue to explore the complexities of human communication, they may find that the simplest expressions, like laughter, hold the key to understanding what makes us uniquely human.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights 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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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