local
Get a load of this: Humans and great apes share similar giggles
By Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / 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 The Pearland
The study's findings on the similarities between human and great ape laughter have implications for local families and educators in Pearland . As researchers continue to explore the evolution of laughter, parents and teachers can apply this knowledge to better understand child development and social behavior. By recognizing that laughter is a fundamental form of communication that transcends species, locals can foster more playful and empathetic environments for children to grow and learn. Furthermore, the study's focus on the unique characteristics of human laughter, such as its context-dependent nature, can inform strategies for teaching social skills and emotional intelligence in Pearland's schools. As the community continues to grow and diversify, understanding the universal language of laughter can help bridge cultural and social divides, promoting a more harmonious and connected community.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Pearland stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter