Apparently Dolphins Like To Get High Off Puffer Fish Toxins

BBC One's new show Dolphins: Spy in the Pod reveals the animal's dark secret.

BBC's new documentary Dolphins: Spy in the Pod has uncovered dolphins' naughty habit of "deliberately getting high" on the nerve toxins of puffer fish.

Apparently the footage shows the dolphins "carefully manipulating" a certain kind of puffer fish, which releases the toxin if provoked.

As with many other drugs, a large amount of the puffer fish's toxin can be deadly. However, a small amount can cause a narcotic "high".

The Independent report that in the documentary, the dolphins can be seen chewing the puffer fish, and passing it carefully between each other.

The dolphins are then said to enter a trance-like state and begin to act "most peculiarly."

"Dude. That is some gooooood puffer toxin."

Rob Pilley, a producer on the series, also said the dolphins started "hanging around with their noses at the surface as if fascinated by their own reflection" after consuming the toxins.

Pilley said this was "a case of young dolphins purposely experimenting with something we know to be intoxicating."

Like the series Penguins: Spy in the Huddle, this documentary is made using spy cameras hidden in fake turtles, fish and squid.

The scenes showing the dolphins getting high off puffer fish toxins will air on the second episode, which is on this Thursday. The first episode will air New Year's Day.