The Playful Minds of Dolphins

Dolphins are often called the second-smartest animals on Earth, and their playfulness is a key sign of their intelligence. They engage in complex play that has no survival purpose other than fun: playing with seaweed, riding waves, and even creating bubble rings to swim through. This behavior, known as non-functional play, is a hallmark of highly intelligent species. Dolphins also have signature whistles, unique calls that act like names, which they use to identify and call to each other. Their complex social lives, problem-solving abilities, and capacity for play suggest a rich cognitive world we are only beginning to understand.