Dolphins Caught Chewing Puffer Fish and Passing Them Around

In 2014, the BBC documentary Dolphins: Spy in the Pod aired footage that had marine biologists doing double-takes. Using remote-controlled cameras disguised as sea creatures, filmmakers captured young dolphins engaged in what looked suspiciously like a party scene—complete with their own questionable substance of choice.

The substance? Puffer fish.

The Footage That Raised Eyebrows

The cameras caught dolphins carefully manipulating puffer fish, gently mouthing them in a way that appeared deliberate and controlled. Most striking was what happened next: the dolphins passed the puffer fish between themselves, taking turns with the spiny creatures before eventually letting them go.

After these sessions, the dolphins were filmed floating just beneath the surface, seemingly mesmerized by their own reflections. The behavior looked, to put it plainly, like a group of friends sharing something they probably shouldn't.

The Science Behind the Speculation

Puffer fish contain tetrodotoxin, one of nature's most potent neurotoxins. In high doses, it's lethal—there's no known antidote. But in tiny amounts, it can cause:

• Numbness and tingling sensations
• A trance-like state
• Altered consciousness

The documentary's producers theorized that dolphins, being highly intelligent, may have learned exactly how to handle puffer fish to get a mild dose of the toxin without killing themselves. It's a risky game—but dolphins are known for their problem-solving abilities.

Not Everyone's Convinced

Some marine biologists urge caution with the "stoned dolphins" interpretation. Dolphins frequently play with objects in their environment, and puffer fish are common in their habitats. The post-puffer floating behavior could simply be normal resting, not a drug-induced stupor.

Christie Wilcox, a science writer specializing in venomous creatures, has pointed out that tetrodotoxin doesn't typically produce euphoric effects—it's more likely to cause paralysis or death than a pleasant high. The idea that dolphins have figured out precise micro-dosing remains speculative.

What We Do Know

Regardless of the interpretation, several facts remain remarkable:

• Dolphins deliberately and repeatedly sought out puffer fish
• They handled the toxic creatures with unusual gentleness
• They shared the fish among group members
• This behavior has been observed multiple times

Whether it's recreational drug use or just unusual play behavior, the footage reveals yet another layer of dolphin intelligence and social complexity. These animals engage with their environment in ways that continue to surprise researchers.

The documentary team spent two years filming with their spy cameras, and this was among their most unexpected discoveries. It's a reminder that even after decades of study, dolphins still have secrets—and possibly vices—we're only beginning to understand.