Chimpanzees Exhibit 'Contagious Urination' Linked to Social Dynamics

A study reveals that group urination among chimpanzees may serve social and evolutionary purposes, influenced by proximity and hierarchy.

Researchers observed 1,328 urination events among 20 chimpanzees over 600 hours at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan.
The likelihood of group urination increased with physical proximity to the initial urinating chimpanzee.
Unlike contagious yawning, which is influenced by social closeness, group urination is tied to social rank, with lower-ranking members more likely to follow higher-ranking individuals.
Scientists suggest the behavior may help synchronize group activities or strengthen social bonds within the community.
The phenomenon highlights the potential evolutionary roots of social behaviors shared by humans and animals, prompting further investigation into its presence in other species.