Why Does Dolphins Jump Out of the Water?

It is not known for certain, but there are many theories. Large whales, like humpbacks, orcas, sperm whales and even young blue whales, as well as many types of dolphins certainly seem to be very playful.

It could be that the dolphins are just simply doing it for pleasure. It is well known that pods of dolphins will play games with pieces of seaweed as they hunt for food, and that many others

• including the spinner - are indeed very acrobatic, so why would

the dolphins not do it for that reason?

It could also be to rid themselves of baracles and whale lice. Just like fleas do to cats, barnacles and whale lice do irritate whales. Jumping out of the water may be to try and remove the whale lice, but not many people agree with that. After all, beluga whales are known to rub themselves against the sea bed in the spring to relieve itches.