Question

______ makes a sound similar to a human laugh.
a. Acinonyx
b. Canis
c. Hyena
d. Phoca

Answer 1

Hint: Laughter in animals other than humans explains animal behavior which is similar to human laugh. Many non-human species demonstrate vocalizations whose sound is similar to human laughter. Some of these species are mammals, which suggests that neurological functions appeared in the early process of mammalian evolution.

Complete answer:
- Hyena's sound resembles hysterical human laughter.
- Hyenas are the animals belonging to the family Hyaenidae.
- Hyena appears similar to dogs, but they are more closely related to cats.
- Spotted hyenas are commonly known as laughing hyenas as their giggle sound is much similar to hysterical human laughter.
- Hyena giggles loud, high-pitched, and hee-hee-hee sound.
- Canis sound is higher pitched and rising and falling in pitch.
- Acinonyx sound resembles the sound of other cats.
- Phoca sound is bark-like.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Additional information:
- Hyenas do not laugh but the vocalizations of the spotted hyena resemble the laughing sound of humans.
- Striped and brown hyenas do not produce giggles or whoop calls.
- Giggle is a unique character only to the spotted hyena.
- For example - Gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and chimpanzees show laughter like vocalization when it comes to physical contact like play chasing or tickling, wrestling.

Note: Only humans are not animals to show laughing behavior. Many other species of the animals also show laughter like vocalization in response to the tickling or play chasing, wrestling, etc. Some animals make a sound similar to human laughter such as hyenas. Researchers have observed the similarity between humans and apes in the form of laughter.