Dolphins are praised for their intelligence and apparent friendliness. They are loved worldwide because they are playful and have a certain thing that makes them stand out. These facts about Dolphins are going to surprise you!
And while they can do a lot of interesting things and have a lot of good qualities to them, dolphins also have a dark side to them. A very dark side. And while not all dolphins do these bad things, some of them do especially male dolphins.
BEWARE: you’ll never look at dolphins the same way again after you read this. You’ve been warned! Dolphins might seem like happy, loveable creatures that like to play with humans but the reality is something from the land of nightmares.
Get started with our weird list of disturbing facts about dolphins, Enjoy!
Watch our Video on The 11 Creepy Facts About Dolphins right now!
1. Dolphins can get sexually frustrated and if this happens they go wild
Dolphins have been known to go on killing sprees (usually attacking porpoises) when they are frustrated sexually. In most cases, the attackers are young dolphins that will ram the poor porpoises until they are dead. Why do they do this? It seems because dolphins don’t have thumbs so they can’t, well, get rid of their sexual frustrations like we humans do.
So, instead, they ram porpoises which seems to have a similar effect? They have also been observed to play with the corpses of their kills (porpoises) so there’s that. If you thought dolphins are nice and cuddly, think again.
Dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals, but these traits can sometimes lead to aggression. Their complex social hierarchies, competition for mates, and playful behaviors can escalate into violence.
Stress from environmental changes or captivity can also heighten aggression. Additionally, their problem-solving skills enable sophisticated aggressive strategies, such as infanticide or intergroup conflicts. Understanding these behaviors helps improve dolphin conservation and welfare, highlighting the intricate balance of their social lives.
Research by marine biologist Dr. Justin Gregg highlights instances of infanticide among dolphins, often tied to social and reproductive dynamics within pods.
2. When they’re not out killing poise they might try groping humans
There have been recorded cases of dolphins touching humans in inappropriate ways. The idea is that they don’t shy away from such things if they get horny.
Readers interested in learning more can explore reputable online resources, such as scientific studies and articles from established marine research organizations.
3. Dolphins often kill their offspring just so they can mate with their mother!
Some dolphin species have been observed engaging in what appears to be non-survival-based killing, such as targeting porpoises. Experts theorize this could be linked to territorial disputes, social stress, or misdirected aggression. Male dolphins kill their babies in an attempt to get their females to once again want to mate with them. It’s an ingenious (although deadly) strategy.
Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1689180/
4. Dolphins have been observed killing baby porpoises
Why do they do this? Because baby porpoises resemble baby dolphins and sometimes male dolphins mix them up and think they are their own offspring! And we already know what they tend to do to their offspring…
5. Sometimes dolphins just attack or kill for fun
Whether it’s baby porpoises and adult porpoises or other animals, dolphins may attack and even kill them just because they can. They’ve been observed picking on smaller creatures for no apparent reason. You might not have expected the loveable dolphins to do such things but they do.
6. Dolphins can be very aggressive sexual-wise
They have been observed trying to force females to mate, even ganging up on them during this time. Male dolphins can even hit and harm females while trying to mate. We were as shocked as you when we found out they did this.
Yes, you might have heard this before but Dolphin Attacks on Woman is a real and serious thing!
7. Dolphins can stay awake for days or even weeks on end
They can do this because their brain is formed of two halves and they can… hold onto your hats… have one half asleep while the other is awake! Sounds strange? Yes, it is. And while this happens they seem to be ok and have plenty of stamina.
8. Dolphins hunt both for food and for the hunt
They like to hunt in pairs and find new and inventive ways to catch their prey. It seems they really like hunting, just like hunters who hunt for pleasure not because they need to.
9. Dolphins have STDs and lots of them
We’re pretty sure you didn’t learn this in school, did you know? They are known to transfer all sorts of “goodies” to their partners.
Dolphins and STDs: A Brief Overview
Dolphins, like many other animals, can contract sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Research has documented cases of genital papillomaviruses and herpesviruses in dolphins, which are similar to STDs in humans. These infections can affect their reproductive health and overall well-being.
Authority References:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Studies on dolphin health have identified viral infections linked to sexual transmission.
- Marine Mammal Science Journal: Research papers have documented STDs in wild and captive dolphin populations.
- Smithsonian Magazine: Articles have highlighted the presence of STDs in marine mammals, including dolphins.
While STDs in dolphins are not as widely studied as in humans, they underscore the complexity of marine mammal health and the need for further research.
10. Dolphins like to get it on
They have been observed inserting their sexual organs inside the blowholes of other dolphins. Yeah, read that one again.
11. Dolphins can get high
They do this by grabbing puffer fish for some time and then leaving it and enjoying the effects of the toxins just released. In lower doses, the toxin from puffer fish acts like a drug and dolphins know this and use it to their liking.
Other interesting facts about dolphins
Dolphins can use tools
They have been seen picking up sponges and adding them to their snouts in an effort to (probably) protect themselves when going into hard-to-reach places or places that could hurt them otherwise. And we’re sure they use other tools as well but we just haven’t noticed it.
Each dolphin has his own personal whistle that others can recognize!
Dolphins recognize one another using these whistles. Scientists are studying and recording all the whistles and sounds dolphins make in an attempt to figure out their language. Could we one day learn to speak to dolphins and understand them?
We hope you’ve learned a few things about dolphins and that it wasn’t too upsetting to learn they do have a dark side to them. They have been positively portrayed by the media but it would have been better to know the full story, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And again, there are plenty of videos online to show their dark instincts if you’d like to see for yourself.
These disturbing facts about dolphins reveal a darker side to these seemingly playful creatures, proving that even the ocean’s most beloved animals have their secrets.
Recommended reading next: The Ultimate List Of The 66 Weirdest Animals In The World
FAQ
Are dolphins colorblind?
Yes, they are most likely colorblind lacking the cones that enable color vision.
Why do dolphins look happy?
It’s just the way their face looks. For humans, a smile means we are happy but dolphins just look that way and it doesn’t mean they are happy or that they are not.
Do dolphins have a good memory?
Yes. They can remember things like activities, sounds, or people for tens of years.
Do dolphins have 360 vision?
Yes. They can move their eyes independently from each other.
Further Research:
https://oceanbites.org/life-of-the-party-dolphin-personalities-and-social-structures/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/dolphins
Here’s What We Know About Dolphin Intelligence | National Geographic
I’m a passionate writer with an insatiable curiosity for history, obscure facts, and the weird corners of the internet. When I’m not fact-checking bizarre stories or diving into historical mysteries, I’m exploring the strange and unusual to bring you the most fascinating tales.
A self-proclaimed weirdness enthusiast, who loves turning the odd, the quirky, and the unbelievable into engaging stories for curious minds.
My kids sometimes call me the walking Wikipedia, which can get very annoying sometimes.
