Most mammals experience what scientists call knismesis, or light tickling, that creeping sensation that sticks around for a while after a bug crawls across your skin.  Humans and apes also experience a different type of tickling, called gargalesis, or heavy tickling, that causes them to squirm and laugh at the same time.  It’s an open question whether other animals experience anything like gargalesis, but they most likely don’t.

Here are some resources to learn more about ticklishness:

• Harris, C.R. (1999).  The mystery of ticklish laughter.  American Scientist, 87, 344.  http://charris.ucsd.edu/articles/Harris_AS1999.pdf
• Alpha Paw.  Are Dogs Ticklish? The Amazing Answer!  https://www.alphapaw.com/blog/are-dogs-ticklish/
• Wag!  Can Dogs Be Ticklish?  https://wagwalking.com/sense/can-dogs-be-ticklish
• Dog Tips.  Are Dogs Ticklish? Can You Tickle Your Dog? and Do They Even Like It?  https://www.dogtips.co.uk/are-dogs-ticklish/

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