In the 1980s, Koko had a clear message for the humans at The Gorilla Foundation in California. Koko, a western lowland gorilla, was the first gorilla to communicate through sign language. She used her newly acquired skills to let her people know she wanted a pet cat.
Koko was soon given a kitten, whom she named All Ball, and cuddled closely. Photos of Koko squeezing her little cat were published around the world. The little grey kitty’s head was barely visible in Koko’s loving arms.
Koko wasn’t alone in her desire to hold a cute creature close. Many people also want to squeeze a cute animal or an adorable baby. Scientists call it “cute aggression.” In the past decades, research in the emotional sciences has helped scientists learn why people have this unexpected response.
