Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
10: Kea Parrot
The kea is a large parrot species from the South Island of New Zealand. Known as highly intelligent and curious birds, and frequently engage in playful behavior. They love to perform aerial acrobatics and chase one another. At times, they will even toss objects to each other or play with objects using their beaks and feet. Keas will emit a warbling sound when happy, particularly while playing with other members of their species.
9: Dolphin
Of all the marine mammals, dolphins seem like the only ones who really know how to cut loose and laugh. During playful situations, dolphins emit a certain sound that they don’t normally make in any other context. This sound, best described as several pulses accompanied by a whistle, only occurs when dolphins play fight with one another.
8: Chimpanzee
Amongst all animals that laugh, the phenomenon is most often observed and understood in primates. Along with some species of monkeys, most primates laugh when playing, roughhousing, or tickling one another. For example, both wild and captive chimpanzees laugh when engaging in playful behavior. Unlike a human laugh, chimpanzees typically pant heavily when laughing, alternating with deep inhalations and exhalations
7: Elephant
Elephants form tight-knit herds of related family members and possess a keen level of intelligence. They can complete complex tasks, manipulate tools, and recognize themselves, people, and other elephants. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that elephants also count among the list of animals that laugh.
6: Australian Magpie
The Australian magpie is a medium-sized black and white songbird from Australia and New Guinea. It is widely considered one of the most talented songbirds in its region, as it can create a wide variety of intricate sounds. In addition to mimicking human speech, it also laughs during play.
5: Rat
Few animals in human history have been observed, analyzing, and dissected as much as rats. Due to their frequency as “lab rats,” scientists get plenty of opportunities to watch rat responses to certain stimuli. It comes as no surprise that scientists discovered rats emit a long, ultrasonic chirping sound when engaging in rough play or when tickled. This sound is likened to a laugh, and rats that laugh the most prefer to spend time with other rats that laugh. In addition to laughing when playing or being tickled, rats also chirp before receiving narcotic substances or during intercourse. As a result, most scientists consider the behavior as a response to positive experiences, similar to how children laugh when they have fun.
4: Bonobo
While bonobos often get lumped in with their fellow primate, the chimpanzee, they are a distinct species with their own unique appearance and behaviors. Bonobo societies feature complex social structures, and unlike other primates, bonobos groups contain much less male dominance and more power-sharing among females. This more egalitarian structure may help explain why bonobos rank among the most vocal of all primates.
3: Dog
At some point or other, every dog owner has told their pup a joke to try and get it to laugh. While this may seem silly, it’s not completely nuts, as dogs possess the ability to laugh. When dogs laugh, they pant in a rhythmic pattern made up of a burst of varying frequencies.
2: Gorilla
In addition to its status as the largest and strongest ape, the gorilla may also earn the title of the best comedian. While evidence indicates that gorillas laugh when playing or tickled, there also exists plenty of examples involving gorillas telling complex jokes.
1: Degu
The degu is a small rodent similar to a chinchilla or guinea pig that is native to certain neotropical regions of Chile. Extremely social creatures, degus live in intricate burrows containing multiple members and use a wide number of vocalizations. In total, they can make up to 15 different sounds and can distinguish individual degu voices. Given their advanced communication skills, it’s no wonder that degus belong to the small number of animals that laugh. When laughing, degus generally emit a high-pitched purr or grumble, and do so either during play or when content. To top it all off, degus occasionally “chuckle” in their sleep.
10: Kea Parrot
The kea is a large parrot species from the South Island of New Zealand. Known as highly intelligent and curious birds, and frequently engage in playful behavior. They love to perform aerial acrobatics and chase one another. At times, they will even toss objects to each other or play with objects using their beaks and feet. Keas will emit a warbling sound when happy, particularly while playing with other members of their species.
9: Dolphin
Of all the marine mammals, dolphins seem like the only ones who really know how to cut loose and laugh. During playful situations, dolphins emit a certain sound that they don’t normally make in any other context. This sound, best described as several pulses accompanied by a whistle, only occurs when dolphins play fight with one another.
8: Chimpanzee
Amongst all animals that laugh, the phenomenon is most often observed and understood in primates. Along with some species of monkeys, most primates laugh when playing, roughhousing, or tickling one another. For example, both wild and captive chimpanzees laugh when engaging in playful behavior. Unlike a human laugh, chimpanzees typically pant heavily when laughing, alternating with deep inhalations and exhalations
7: Elephant
Elephants form tight-knit herds of related family members and possess a keen level of intelligence. They can complete complex tasks, manipulate tools, and recognize themselves, people, and other elephants. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that elephants also count among the list of animals that laugh.
6: Australian Magpie
The Australian magpie is a medium-sized black and white songbird from Australia and New Guinea. It is widely considered one of the most talented songbirds in its region, as it can create a wide variety of intricate sounds. In addition to mimicking human speech, it also laughs during play.
5: Rat
Few animals in human history have been observed, analyzing, and dissected as much as rats. Due to their frequency as “lab rats,” scientists get plenty of opportunities to watch rat responses to certain stimuli. It comes as no surprise that scientists discovered rats emit a long, ultrasonic chirping sound when engaging in rough play or when tickled. This sound is likened to a laugh, and rats that laugh the most prefer to spend time with other rats that laugh. In addition to laughing when playing or being tickled, rats also chirp before receiving narcotic substances or during intercourse. As a result, most scientists consider the behavior as a response to positive experiences, similar to how children laugh when they have fun.
4: Bonobo
While bonobos often get lumped in with their fellow primate, the chimpanzee, they are a distinct species with their own unique appearance and behaviors. Bonobo societies feature complex social structures, and unlike other primates, bonobos groups contain much less male dominance and more power-sharing among females. This more egalitarian structure may help explain why bonobos rank among the most vocal of all primates.
3: Dog
At some point or other, every dog owner has told their pup a joke to try and get it to laugh. While this may seem silly, it’s not completely nuts, as dogs possess the ability to laugh. When dogs laugh, they pant in a rhythmic pattern made up of a burst of varying frequencies.
2: Gorilla
In addition to its status as the largest and strongest ape, the gorilla may also earn the title of the best comedian. While evidence indicates that gorillas laugh when playing or tickled, there also exists plenty of examples involving gorillas telling complex jokes.
1: Degu
The degu is a small rodent similar to a chinchilla or guinea pig that is native to certain neotropical regions of Chile. Extremely social creatures, degus live in intricate burrows containing multiple members and use a wide number of vocalizations. In total, they can make up to 15 different sounds and can distinguish individual degu voices. Given their advanced communication skills, it’s no wonder that degus belong to the small number of animals that laugh. When laughing, degus generally emit a high-pitched purr or grumble, and do so either during play or when content. To top it all off, degus occasionally “chuckle” in their sleep.
