Orangutans

Psychologists compared the laughter of all great apes. What they found was a steady shift in the speed, variation, and context of our most mirthful vocalizations that helped them trace the origins of the human laugh.

An international team of scientists has identified a new species of orangutan, living in an isolated part of North Sumatra. Dubbed Pongo Tapanuliensis, comprehensive studies of its genomes and skull confirmed it as a distinct species. And unfortunately, it’s already critically endangered.