Puff, Puff, Pass: Teen Dolphins Are Caught Getting High On Puffer Fish

December 30, 2013

Dolphins are thought of as one of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom – and experts believe they have put their ingenuity to use in the pursuit of getting "high".

In extraordinary scenes filmed for a new documentary, young dolphins were seen carefully manipulating a certain kind of puffer fish which, if provoked, releases a nerve toxin.

dolphins getting high on puffer fish

Though large doses of the toxin can be deadly, in small amounts it is known to produce a narcotic effect, and the dolphins appeared to have worked out how to make the fish release just the right amount.

Carefully chewing on the puffer and passing it between one another, the marine mammals then enter what seems to be a trance-like state.

dolphins high on puffer fish

The behavior was captured on camera by the makers of Dolphins: Spy in the Pod, a series produced for BBC One by the award-winning wildlife documentary producer John Downer.

Rob Pilley, a zoologist who also worked as a producer on the series, told the Sunday Times: "This was a case of young dolphins purposely experimenting with something we know to be intoxicating.

dolphins getting high

"After chewing the puffer gently and passing it round, they began acting most peculiarly, hanging around with their noses at the surface as if fascinated by their own reflection.

"It reminded us of that craze a few years ago when people started licking toads to get a buzz, especially the way they hung there in a daze afterwards. It was the most extraordinary thing to see."

The documentary makers used spy cameras hidden in fake turtles, fish and squid to film 900 hours of footage showing dolphins in their natural habitats.

Source: independent.co.uk


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoHERO Cat Charges Out Of Gym To Save Feline Friend From Vicious Dog Attack

feel good storiesExtremely Fearful, Shut Down Foster Dog Finally Gives Humanity A Chance Again

feel good stories'You Were My Guardian Angel': Man’s Silent Act Comforts Crying Woman On Train

feel good storiesBig Cat Named Marcell Goes Viral, Gets Adopted With His Best Friend

feel good storiesWoman’s Encounter With NFL Rookie On Plane Goes Viral

feel good storiesHe Was Just A “Rental Player.” Now He’s A Star Seen By Millions

feel good videoHERO Cat Charges Out Of Gym To Save Feline Friend From Vicious Dog Attack

feel good videoThis Fluffy Chicken Comes Running When Called, Does A Happy Dance For Mom

feel good videoA Large Group Of Dogs Are Fighting. Watch What Happens When The Alpha Walks Up

feel good videoThis Goofy Chihuahua Is Stealing Hearts With Its Toy-Like Moves

feel good videoAirport Worker Uses Pressure Washer To Leave Heartfelt Message For Departing Passengers

Chris Filippou 12:17PM (3 minutes ago) to me