April's football fans will know that nothing beats the pre-match huddle - but did you know apes do it too? Research from Durham University reveals that chimpanzees and bonobos engage in 'reassurance hugs' before potential conflicts, such as feeding frenzies. Scientists observed these great apes at two sanctuaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, designed experiments that mimicked natural feeding scenarios, using peanuts to create anticipation and competition among the animals. Researchers led by Professor Zanna Clay recorded reassuring physical contact - including touching, embracing, and kissing - in the five minutes before food arrived.
Despite their reputation for aggression, chimpanzees even engaged in intimate gestures like placing fingers in each other's mouths. Crucially, individuals who touched more were more likely to access food together without conflict.
Social touch expert Dr Jake Brooker believes this ancient behaviour could be one of the oldest forms of communication - potentially dating back seven million years, before humans and apes diverged from a common ancestor. He notes that observing bonobos and chimpanzees provides valuable insights into how both species manage tension and foster cooperation.
The researchers documented 'reassurance trains', where multiple apes formed a chain of embracing animals, in more tolerant groups. This suggests our own instinct to hug or reassure others before a big event may be an inherited trait from our ape ancestors.