Chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, spend a significant amount of time engaged in activities that have no immediate survival purpose, which researchers define as play. This non-essential activity demonstrates a level of cognitive complexity and emotional depth that mirrors human leisure and entertainment. Studying these playful moments offers a window into the chimpanzee experience of “fun,” revealing how they develop social skills, explore their environment, and strengthen community bonds. Their enjoyment is expressed through a variety of behaviors, from wrestling with friends to exploring the acoustic properties of a hollow log.
Physical Play and Social Interaction
The most visible expression of chimpanzee fun is often found in direct physical contact and social interaction, particularly in the form of rough-and-tumble play. This wrestling, chasing, and mock-biting is characterized by fast movements and exaggerated actions that rarely lead to actual aggression. To signal that the interaction is purely playful and not a serious fight, chimpanzees use a distinct expression known as the “play face.” This open-mouthed, relaxed facial signal is the chimpanzee equivalent of a human smile, indicating a non-threatening and positive intent.
These playful bouts serve as an important mechanism for building trust and reinforcing social alliances within the community. Adult chimpanzees, though playing less often than juveniles, will engage in social play, which frequently precedes cooperative activities like group hunting or territorial defense. This interaction helps individuals practice motor skills and test boundaries in a safe context, developing social competence. Another form of direct social play is tickling, a behavior that elicits a characteristic pant-hoot vocalization often compared to human laughter.
Tickling is a common interaction, particularly between mothers and their young, and is a powerful way to form strong, trusting bonds. The shared laughter and physical closeness help to solidify relationships relied upon later in life for cooperation and mutual defense. These playful interactions are a form of emotional communication, helping to relieve tension and resolve minor conflicts within the group. Physical play lays the groundwork for a stable social structure.
Object Manipulation and Environmental Exploration
Chimpanzees also find amusement in manipulating objects and exploring the physical properties of their environment without any immediate goal of foraging or tool use. Young chimpanzees, in particular, spend a great deal of time carrying and examining sticks or rocks, treating them as non-functional toys. This behavior, especially the carrying of sticks, has been observed in young females and is sometimes likened to a rudimentary form of “doll play” seen in human children.
Object play focuses on the experimental handling of items, distinct from goal-oriented tool use like termite fishing. Immature males tend to show higher rates of object manipulation, which may contribute to practicing motor skills for future male-specific behaviors like dominance displays. This curiosity extends to their surroundings, where they interact with natural features purely for the sensation and novelty of the movement.
In warmer regions, chimpanzees will engage in water play, despite the species’ general aversion to deep water due to the risk of predators. They have been observed splashing and bathing in shallow pools or water that collects in tree cavities following heavy rain. This behavior, often seen in savanna-dwelling communities, appears to be both a method of cooling down and a source of simple enjoyment. They will also occasionally roll or slide down grassy slopes or hillsides, using gravity for a bout of fun.
Expressive Group Rituals
Some of the most dramatic expressions of chimpanzee enjoyment and emotional release occur during communal, expressive behaviors that serve to unify the group. These complex displays are often triggered by natural phenomena, creating a shared emotional state within the community. One well-known example is the so-called “rain dance,” a vigorous display performed by males during or just before a heavy downpour.
During these displays, males may charge through the forest, rhythmically swaying, dragging large branches, and stomping their feet. This behavior appears to be an intense, non-aggressive expression of excitement or awe in response to the powerful natural event. The performance is often synchronized, with several individuals participating in the collective display of energy, creating a group-wide cathartic experience.
Another expressive behavior involves rhythmic drumming on tree trunks, particularly the large, hollow buttress roots of certain trees. These percussive acts are a form of long-distance communication and a display of vigor, while also being stimulating for the performer. The acoustic properties of the drumming can be heard for over a kilometer. These rituals demonstrate a capacity for emotional resonance and shared experience, suggesting that collective expression is a meaningful form of group fun.