Dolphins enjoy listening to classical music.
Dolphins enjoy listening to classical music
A new study has revealed that the mammals showed more sociable behaviour when listening to music from composers such as Bach, Debussy and Beethoven.
The dolphins showed more interest in each other, gave more gentle touches and swam in synchrony for longer after hearing classical music but giving them toys and playing other sounds did not have the same effect.
The behaviour of the dolphins after listening to classical pieces suggested that they felt happy as it could have activated their brains to produce endogenous opioids - chemicals such as endorphins that have an influence on mood.
Lead researcher Dr. Cecile Guerineau - from the University of Padua in Italy - said: "We know that, in a wide range of animals, endorphins are related to social bonding.
"Activation of opioids receptors is correlated with a feeling of euphoria."