Main content

The ancient origins of kissing

It’s not just humans that kiss, animals and even our pre-historic ancestors did it.

Scientists at Oxford University in the UK now think that kissing evolved more than 21 million years ago, and it wasn’t humans that started it.

As a behaviour, it has no obvious survival or reproductive benefits but it’s seen across the world, in humans and animals alike.

Victoria Gill, our Science Correspondent, tells us all about the research and what we know about if animals can be romantic like humans can.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

12 minutes

Last on

Sat 22 Nov 202503:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 21 Nov 202518:50GMT
  • Sat 22 Nov 202503:50GMT

Podcast