Zoologist Kai Caspar and his team from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf have found that female gibbons have a distinctive performance style that resembles dance, displaying rhythmic, intentional movements without a physical purpose. The researchers observed these dance-like behaviors in crested gibbons, with the females often dancing with their backs to the viewer and exhibiting deliberate, attention-seeking movements. The study, which has been posted online ahead of publication in the journal Primates, suggests that these dancing gibbons share key characteristics of human dance. While the researchers are unsure of the purpose behind the gibbons' dancing, they speculate that it may be a form of courtship display or a means of seeking attention or food. The research team's findings are based on the observation and analysis of videos from zoos and other facilities, as well as surveys of individuals working with crested gibbons. Their work has shed light on the unique behaviors of these apes, prompting hope that it will bring them more attention from the scientific community. This discovery could provide insights into the evolution of dance in humans, as well as enhance the understanding of the complex behaviors of gibbons, who are close relatives of humans. The researchers suggest that further studies of the dancing gibbons may offer valuable insights into the evolution of dance in humans.