Before a Big Moment, Apes Kiss and Cuddle. Sound Familiar?

Ever hugged a teammate before a big game, or gotten a reassuring pat on the back right before a presentation? Turns out, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom are doing pretty much the same thing.

A new study found that chimpanzees and bonobos use physical contact — think kisses, hugs, and even fingers in mouths — to calm each other down before a stressful event. Specifically, before the inevitable food fight that breaks out when the peanuts arrive.

Researchers at Durham University set up an experiment in ape sanctuaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. They watched chimp and bonobo groups for five minutes as they anticipated food. What they saw was a flurry of reassuring touches, embraces, and even what Professor Zanna Clay called "a rallying cry" of affection.

The Ancient Art of the Pre-Game Hug

Apparently, even chimps, known for their... spirited disagreements, engage in these pre-conflict cuddles. They'd put fingers in each other's mouths, which, in ape terms, is apparently a sign of deep trust, not a hygiene concern.

And here's the kicker: the groups that indulged in more of this pre-food affection were more likely to eat together peacefully. They even formed "reassurance trains," where multiple apes would hug each other in a sequential, highly adorable fashion. Because apparently, that's where we are now.

Dr. Jake Brooker noted that this social touching is likely one of the oldest forms of communication, predating language itself. It’s a way to say, “We’re in this together,” without having to articulate it. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying.

The scientists believe this trust-building through touch could date back at least seven million years, long before humans, chimps, and bonobos went their separate evolutionary ways. So, that shoulder pat you give someone? You’re wielding a social tool that’s been honed over millennia. Suddenly, your office team huddle feels a lot more primal.