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'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

Posted January 03, 2008 8:10 AM

From BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition:

The basis for laughter may have originated in an ancient primate ancestral to both humans and modern apes, a study suggests. Scientists found that orang-utans had a sense of empathy and mimicry which forms an essential part of laughter.

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English Rose
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#1

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/04/2008 4:35 AM

I've had a dog that would both laugh and cry at appropriate situations...she really would cry along with me!

My cat understood humour...I really have done things that have made a cat laugh. And she would sulk if I laughed at her.

Never yet seen a squirrel laugh, though....

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#2

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/04/2008 10:11 AM

I think anyone who has owned a pet of any sort would agree that they have the capability of showing empathetic emotion -- particularly joy and sadness.

I am fairly certain about this as far as mammals go. I am not too sure about reptiles.
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bhankiii
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/04/2008 11:06 AM

I've seen joy in the eyes of a box turtle - when I gave him a fresh cicada to eat.
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English Rose
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#4
In reply to #2

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/04/2008 1:58 PM

How else can you explain why my tortoise wakes up for my birthday and, three weeks later, for Christmas Day? She did so again this year.

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#5

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/04/2008 3:28 PM

We are highly arrogant to even use the term "anthromorphic behavior". The other species do NOT behave like us - we behave like them! And this from a biologist, folks...

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#6

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 4:34 AM

Of course laughs are no longer exclusive to humans.

The explanation is really simple, folks.

Orang-utans and other primates have seen people doing that, and afterwards they did it, because they aped us.

Kind Regards....

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 9:04 AM

There you go, monkeying around again...

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#8

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 2:30 PM

What about Hyena's ? The Cheshire Cat was also noted for its grin. I'm fairly certain my wheelie-bin is smirking as it sits there, lid agape, waiting for the bin-men to empty it.

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#9
In reply to #8

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 2:55 PM

Hyenas don't exactly laugh, whoever first thought they sounded like laughter had a warped sense of either humor or hearing (maybe both). And wasn't the Cheshire cat fictional? Not sure that counts...

Did you dodge the bullet, then? Someone was taking pot shots at ya, ya nut magnet!

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#10
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Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 3:55 PM

You've failed to explain my bin. I am now growing concerned about the slots in my toaster, and the way my bread-bin flips up and down is disturbing. I haven't been to the toilet for ages because that gaping laugh of the lid is truly scarey ! Julia Roberts may look sort of cute, but I'm sure she has a flip-top head. The amount of laughing paraphernalia is astonishing. OMG, it's everywhere ! The x-files were right - trust no one !

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#11
In reply to #10

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 4:37 PM

The truth is out there...

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#12
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Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 4:45 PM

Speaking of the slots in your toaster, why do toasters have a setting that turns bread into such a piece of charcoal that no sane person would eat it?

Julia Roberts as Pez dispenser - now THERE'S a unique thought!

Remember, laughter is the best medicine... I'm outta here, C'Ya!

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#13
In reply to #12

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/05/2008 6:15 PM

Hello EnviroMan,

The answer to your question is easy.

Charcoal biscuits are eaten to avoid noxious gas buildup in the digestive tract.

So your toaster is trying to do you and your near relatives a favour.

Eat that burnt toast, please.

Kind Regards....

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#14
In reply to #13

Re: 'Laughs' not exclusive to humans

01/07/2008 9:50 AM

"Eat that burnt toast, please."

Next you'll prescribe me a dose of cod liver oil, I suppose... FEH!

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