A large pod of dolphins—likely over 100—followed a whale-watching boat off the coast of southern California, performing impressively high jumps that delighted everyone. A video of the fun encounter is circulating online, making even more people smile.
“A pod of more than 100 dolphins was spotted racing alongside a whale-watching vessel just off the coastline from Newport Beach, California,” wrote ABC News in its Facebook post sharing the video.
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“They’re trying to inform you of your extended used boat warranty,” joked one person in the video’s comments section.
“Holy moley Olympic jumps,” wrote another person.
“Little clowns of the sea!!” wrote a third person.
Wild dolphins often follow boats and leap into the air as they do. Dolphins are curious, highly intelligent marine mammals that like to have fun. Jumping gives them a good look at what’s going on above the water. Scientists believe leaping also helps them communicate with each other, and it may also help them save energy as they swim long distances. Of course, there’s always a chance that they just want to frolic—and who can blame them?
Watch dolphins show off for whale watchers with some extra-high jumps here:
Header stock image by Mike Hill/Getty Images