Latest news with #hideandseek
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Science
- Free Malaysia Today
Play is an instinct that unites species
In the animal kingdom, play has many functions from motor development and social learning to bonding and cognitive stimulation. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Imagine a rat hiding under a plastic box while a human searches for it, then erupting with joy when it's been found. This is not a scene from the 'Ratatouille' movie, but the protocol of a study published in 2019 in the journal Science. Neuroscientists at Humboldt University of Berlin succeeded in teaching six young rats to play hide-and-seek. To begin with, the researchers let them explore their playground, a 30-square-metre room dotted with boxes and partitions serving as hiding places. Before the experiment began, researcher Annika Reinhold had accustomed the rodents to her presence by stroking them, tickling them and chasing them with her hands. She then taught them the role of the seeker: to do this, she would lock a rat in a box, go and hide in a corner of the room, then reward it with tickles if it came to join her. When a rat was free from the start, it was up to the animal to play hide-and-seek. It then had to quickly choose a hiding place and stay there quietly until being discovered. The study showed that rats can effectively learn how to play hide-and-seek. Better still, they understand the rules, choose strategic hiding places – the most opaque, the most discreet – and know how to make themselves go unnoticed by remaining silent. And when the moment comes to be discovered, they erupt with joy, leaping with gusto and uttering the little ultrasonic vocalisations typical of pleasure. The rats also tend to prolong the game. As soon as they're discovered, they immediately scurry off to hide elsewhere, as if to restart the game. They even postpone the moment of reward stroking, obviously preferring to keep the game going a little longer. For them, play is a social activity, a voluntary activity and clearly a source of pleasure. Play is much more than just a way of letting off steam; it's a powerful tool for building relationships. (Envato Elements pic) Play as a sign of intelligence In apes, play becomes strategy. Researchers from the University of California Los Angeles, the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Indiana University, and the University of California San Diego, identified playful behaviours that are surprisingly similar to those of human children. The young monkeys have fun provoking adults, poking them, waiting for their reaction… then doing it again, as if anticipating the effects of their actions. In a study published in 2024 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the scientists suggest that this taste for teasing is anything but trivial. It may be a sign of the existence, in humankind's last common ancestor, of the cognitive prerequisites necessary for playful teasing. After all, playing the clown can be a complex business. It implies understanding the other person, anticipating their reactions, and wanting to maintain a bond. In this respect, play is much more than just a way of letting off steam; it's a powerful tool for building relationships. For primatologist Frans de Waal, these playful jousts reinforce social hierarchies while strengthening group cohesion. In short, apes, like humans, play to help them live better together. The natural history of animals abounds in observations of games. Play is widespread among mammals, but less common among birds, with the exception of corvids, where it is clearly evident. In a study published in 2019 in the journal Current Biology, American and Australian researchers claim that New Caledonian crows derive pleasure from manipulating objects, which improves their mood and optimism – a cognitive experience reminiscent of our own taste for intellectual challenges. Whether it's elephants having a friendly tussle, or crows gliding across snow-covered rooftops, many animals love to play, mostly out of sheer pleasure. (Envato Elements pic) An evolutionary drive for play Rats, great apes, crows… the list of playful animals grows longer as research continues. But why do so many species play? No doubt because play has many functions, from motor development and social learning to bonding and cognitive stimulation. Neuroscience suggests that the brains of mammals and certain birds are 'programmed' to play. Experiments with dolphins and crows have shown that the most playful individuals are also the most curious, the most adaptable, and sometimes even the most innovative. This suggests that play is a gateway to creativity and problem-solving. But play can also be about having fun. Whether it's dolphins surfing the waves for no apparent purpose, elephant calves chasing each other around a tree trunk, or crows gliding across snow-covered rooftops, many animals love to play, mostly out of sheer pleasure. Owners of cats, dogs and even rodents are well aware of this. As are scientists, who have observed this behaviour in fish, frogs, lizards and birds. But what about insects? Are their cognitive capacities sufficiently developed for them to want to have fun? Apparently so, according to a study published in 2022 in the journal Animal Behaviour. It showed that bumblebees enjoy rolling wooden balls for no reason or reward – just for the fun of it. Perhaps play is not a luxury reserved for superior species, but an evolutionary necessity rooted in the biology of living things, whether it's a kitten bouncing around, a dog wagging its tail when it sees a ball, or even a magpie playing with a cork. These innocuous moments speak volumes about the emotional and cognitive richness of the animal world. And they remind humans that pleasure is a universal language.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch toddler's joyful scream when beloved uncle surprises him during hide-and-seek
When 3-year-old Oliver was playing hide-and-seek at his play group in Waltham, Massachusetts, he had no idea his favorite person in the world was waiting to be found. Oliver and his uncle, 22-year-old Oran shared an unbreakable bond even 400 miles of distance couldn't shake. While Oran attended Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the duo stayed close through FaceTime calls filled with excited updates about everything from skating achievements to new toys. 'It's a bond that's both playful and deeply affectionate,' said Oliver's mom, Jenna. Oran even made sure his nephew had a special reminder of their friendship: a Build-A-Bear lion with a recorded message saying 'What's up little dude,' in Oran's voice. That bear had become one of Oliver's most treasured possessions. So when Oran was coming back from college, Jenna hatched the perfect surprise. While she picked up her brother from the airport, Oliver was at his regular play group. During a game of hide-and-seek, Oliver suddenly spotted the familiar 6-foot-5 best friend near the slide. Click on the video below to see his incredible reaction! Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boy screams in pure joy finding uncle in sweet hide-and-seek surprise
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Owner Tries To Hide From His Dog in Viral Video & the Results Are Hilarious
A viral Instagram video of a dog hiding as he plays hide-and-seek with his owner has taken the internet by storm. User @suavexavier_ shared the clip, showcasing him and the Doberman playing the hilarious game. Not only is the dog amusing but he is sharp-witted, leaving the internet in stitches with his comedic timing. The Instagram video shows the dog, Knox, and his owner while they hide behind a kitchen counter. Knox is the one seeking his owner while it's the latter's turn to hide. Throughout the hilarious game of hide and seek, the owner is determined to outsmart his canine friend. However, the witty Doberman's mission is to ruin his owner's plans, and he does so flawlessly. The video is set against the backdrop of a kitchen, where the owner chooses the perfect hiding spot – the counter. He runs to the kitchen, hurriedly shrinking behind the kitchen counter. While he thinks he has found a way to outsmart his Doberman, Knox arrives in the kitchen and does not take long to catch up to him. The owner shuffles positions, thinking he has fooled his dog. All this while, Knox tiptoes behind him without the owner having any clue, proving he cannot be fooled. While the owner waits for Knox, the dog makes slow, deliberate steps, biding his time to make his move. Once the human companion shifts to another position, the dog darts behind the counter in a perfect ambush. The Doberman's owner is amazed and amused. His startled laughter sums up his caption: 'You can run… but you can't hide.' The video of the dog as he hides to catch his owner only to find him, fair and square, proves the joy pets bring to their owners. With spontaneous laughter and genuine connection, a simple game of hide and seek can turn into a fun, strategic adventure. The post Owner Tries To Hide From His Dog in Viral Video & the Results Are Hilarious appeared first on DogTime.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Awful mystery as 'healthy' boy aged just seven collapses and dies after attending friend's birthday party
A young Maryland boy died after collapsing at a friend's birthday party as they played an iconic childhood game. Brian, 7, went to the party on Saturday 'full of joy and excitement,' his family said on a GoFundMe page. However, the event took a horrific turn when the boy suddenly collapsed as the kids played hide-and-seek. He was rushed to the hospital, and despite doctors' best efforts, he was later pronounced deceased. 'His passing was sudden, unexpected, and left us with more questions than answers,' the family said. 'What makes this even more heartbreaking is that, after a thorough autopsy, doctors found no underlying health conditions or illness.' The boy's heartbroken mother, Mabell Nana, told Fox 5 they are devastated and desperately searching for answers. 'He was healthy, active, and full of joy. I don't know what happened, but for me and my family, it is very difficult to accept it,' Nana said. 'He was very healthy. Very healthy. He was always playing around, jumping around. Bryan will never just sit,' said Brian's brother, Simen Njotang. Family friend Pierre Nounaye, who was with the boy, told the local news station Brian was playful and full of life. 'Seeing him go like that, in my eyes, was really painful,' Nounaye said. 'I thought maybe he fell or something hurt him, but that wasn't the case. That wasn't the case.' Dr. Mena Mirhom of Columbia University Medical Center told Fox 5 ut not uncommon for autopsies to come back negative in cases like this. 'Autopsies look at the structural parts of the body—the heart, lungs, liver—but not the electrical patterns,' Mirhom said. 'Conditions like heart arrhythmias or seizure disorders wouldn't show up. And both can lead to sudden death without leaving physical evidence. 'The big thing, I think, that I try to sort of bring home to parents in this scenario is, something this rare and that is not visible on an autopsy, is something that you don't want to blame yourself, that you could have prevented this.' The family has launched a fundraiser to help cover the funeral and memorial expenses for Brian. 'Brian was full of life, laughter, and love. He had a kind heart and a bright spirit that touched everyone he met,' the said. 'Now, our family is trying to process this pain while preparing to give him the farewell he deserves.'
