However, it’s still a bit of a mystery whether these antics really show that animals have a sense of humor or if their behavior has another purpose. For instance, are the apes in Laumer’s study actually playing practical jokes, or are they just trying to grab someone’s attention or defuse tension?
“Do I think that animals have a sense of humor? Yes, I think they do, but it's difficult to prove,” believes Bekoff.
“For example, I’ve come across households with two dogs, where at feeding time one dog runs to the front door and barks. The other dog then runs to see who’s there, while the first dog runs back and eats their food. So, you could say that's showing a sense of humor, but the first dog may have just learned that that's how they get more food.”
There’s also the debate of whether having a sense of humor serves an evolutionary purpose for animals.
“In humans, humor can serve as like an ice-breaker, removing social barriers and strengthening relationships,” says Laumer. “We don't know if it's the same in apes or other animals, but it's possible. To know for sure we would need to test and observe more groups of primates and other species.”
