Name: Pucker up: The history and evolutionary mystery of kissing
Uploaded: 2026-01-02T23:55:47.145Z
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Description: If you rang in the new year with a kiss, you took part in a tradition millions of years in the making. Scientists now say the origins of kissing go back much farther than most think.

If you rang in the new year with a kiss, you took part in a tradition millions of years in the making. Scientists now say the origins of kissing go back much farther than most think.

New York

A recent UK study has found that kissing is a behavior shared not only by humans but also by many animals, including primates and even species like polar bears and albatrosses. The research suggests the act of kissing dates back more than 21 million years, possibly including Neanderthals among its practitioners.

Despite its prevalence, scientists such as Dr. Matilda Brindle note that the evolutionary reason for kissing remains unclear, as it does not offer obvious survival or reproductive advantages and can transmit diseases. Researchers hope these findings will prompt further investigation into the origins and functions of kissing across species.

Pucker up: The history and evolutionary mystery of kissing

It's the classic romantic moment on the big screen and sometimes just as unforgettable in real life Tony and Christine Lewis still remember their first kiss in England. Yeah, it was quite Romantic and four years later. We're still here. So that's pretty good It turns out the tradition of locking lips isn't just for people. So if they're kissing after an argument evolutionary biologist Dr. Matilda Brindle says kissing is surprisingly common in the animal world Gorillas chimpanzees bonobos and orangutans all seem to kiss at least some of the time and this extends even Past the primates as well so you have animals like polar bears or prairie dogs and even albatrosses kiss each other a New UK study suggests kissing dates back more than 21 million years and that Neanderthals our ancient human relatives Probably did it too. Dr. Brindle says with no obvious survival or reproductive benefit The shared habit remains an evolutionary mystery. It's really not a very hygienic behavior. Is it you're literally Sharing your saliva with another individual We know that we can transmit diseases that way and that actually to me just makes it all the more compelling that this is an evolved trait British researchers hope this intimate insight will spark more studies into why we and so many other animals kiss Until then couples say they'll keep puckering up No matter what science says Tina Kraus CBS News London

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