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Have you ever noticed that if someone else laughs, you start laughing, too? That's because laughter is contagious! It's a form of communication and social bonding. It's how we feel close to others. JUST PLAYING Animals laugh, too! But laughing animals aren't telling each other jokes. Instead, researchers call the laughs "play vocalizations." The animals are signalling that their actions (e.g., swipes and bites) are just for fun. TEXT: JOHN CROSSINGHAM PHOTOS: LIAM MOGAN (BOY) ILLUSTRATIONS: JENNA NOORDSTRA In 2022, Rajendra Kumar from Rajasthan, India, set a record for the longest time laughing at: 3 hours, 47 minutes, and 54 seconds. Kumar is also a laughing therapy instructor— he uses laughter to heal others! HA HA HA HA HA HA The kea parrot has a long, loud laughing call. Rats let out ultrasonic squeaks when tickled. Chimps and humans share a similar laugh. Your chest and other core muscles squeeze, pushing air out of the lungs. Air moves out of your larynx (or voice box), causing the sound of laughter. Your heart pumps faster to respond to your muscles' demand for more oxygen. Your leg muscles get less oxygen, so you might find it hard to walk straight as you laugh! Your eyes might water. Your face muscles tighten and contract. The number of animal species that "laugh," according to a 2021 study done at the University of California, Los Angeles. 65 The positive feelings we get from laughter are similar to what we feel after eating chocolate. Both lead to the release of endorphins! HA HA HA Laughter involves your entire body. Here's what happens during a good giggle. F U L L - B O D Y F E E L I N G HA owlkids.com 17