Why did the banana split?

This joke is a playful pun involving a banana and the dessert known as a “banana split.” The phrase “banana split” typically refers to a type of ice cream dessert that includes a split banana, along with scoops of ice cream, toppings, and sauces. The humor in the joke arises from taking the phrase “banana split” literally, as if the banana itself decided to split, or divide, in two. The punchline “Because it saw the ice cream!” adds a whimsical reason for the banana’s action, suggesting that the sight of ice cream was so surprising or exciting that it caused the banana to split.