Yep, it's not just us humans who seem to have a tendency to get high on substances. Dolphins are doing it too! 900 hours of video footage which was recorded for a documentary, using hidden cameras concealed inside turtles, fish and squid, shows how dolphins have figured out how to get high by chewing on puffer fish. They chew on the puffer fish until it releases the exact right amount of a nerve toxin to get them high without running the risk of death. Amazingly, the dolphins then pass the puffer fish around to each other, just as humans do with marijuana joints, and then they hang around at the surface of the water in a trance-like state as though they are obsessed with their own reflections!
This is something I've never heard of. I will have to do research on this. The fact that dolphins would intentionally get high sounds crazy. If this was the case it would cause a whole new kind of study on drug use. The fact that they pass it around like a joint is almost comical.
That's interesting, and honestly something I had never heard of. I thought that addiction was in the human domain only. It also interests me that humans and dolphins exhibit these addictive tendencies, and we and dolphins are often regarded as two of the most intelligent species on the planet.
Besides interesting, this is another of those little facts that researchers have found in dolphins behavior that get them closer to human patterns. You see, even in addictions or the closer to them when it comes to get them doing high, even if involuntarily.
Now I wanna smoke a joint with flipper, thanks. Kidding aside, this is pretty interesting stuff. I would have thought other species could replicate this habit or ability to comprehend, but dolphins? Wouldn't have guessed. I know they're highly intelligent, but figured something out like down to how much before it kills you? Whoa. Brainiacs.
We learn something new everyday! I have never heard of this before and will need to do some research but it does make me laugh hearing that they pass it around like a joint. However, should researches really be spending time, money, and resources on this type of research? I'm not so sure ....
I've also seen articles about how dolphins have sex for pleasure. They just might be the smartest non-apes in the animal kingdom. I love the idea of them passing around the puffer fish!
I am shocked to hear this, but I guess I should not be surprised as they do behave in so many ways like humans. They are so highly intelligent and cannot be compared to any other creatures.
Wow talk about learning something new everyday. I never ever thought about animals getting high especially the ones that live in water. It's ironic that the fish they use to get high is the puffer fish.
There are a few animals that have been observed to get high or drunk on purpose. Monkeys and birds are some I can think of from the top of my head.
That might explain why dolphins are always so darn happy. I didn't know this and I must admit that this post really made me laugh. I can just see it all now and it is too funny. It really is true when they say, you learn something new everyday.
This is quite funny. It must be cute to look at dolphins getting high and passing the puffer fish around. This info didn't surprise me at all. Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures. And the good thing about it is when they get high, they don't become dangerous unlike humans.
Well, the footage was recorded for a documentary so I expect the television company paid for it. In any case, research that helps us understand more about addicitonis surely worth it.
Never heard or read about that thing until reading your post. That is interesting to know and I hope that they do not become violent or will do harm when they got high with that poor puffer fish.
yeah I also read the article I think the documentary is for BBC, I'm looking forward to watch it. I wonder how those dolphin's life is compared to other dolphins
Neither are dolphins the only other animal to exhibit these tendencies. There are many other animals who also get intoxicated. For example, wallabies have been found consuming opium poppies and then running round making crop circles while they were high! Dolphins are the most intelligent species on the planet! They are more intelligent than humans. They also have sonar ability.
Wow. I didn't know they could also get high. Does it mean they could easily get addicted to it (puffer fish) too? Anyhow, thank you for sharing this one to us here. Interesting read, indeed.
That is a good question. I feel it's an instinctive issue, if they grab something that makes them feel good they would do it again, but I doubt it harms their health.