Dolphin Copies Man Doing Cartwheels in Incredible Viral Video

Dolphins are known to be highly intelligent animals and a video that has gone viral online appears to show two of them interacting with a man through an aquarium window to perform cartwheels.

In a clip posted on TikTok by user @ant.Giovanni at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, a man can be seen performing cartwheels in front of the glass spectator area under the watchful gaze of a dolphin.

When he completes the acrobatic maneuver, the dolphin clearly appears to perform, copying him by rotating its body under water.

Giovanni then cartwheels back the other way, and the animal copies him again. After the dolphin has had enough, it swims away, and another one appears and follows his lead by repeatedly flipping over. There is clearly some level of communication and interaction.

The footage—filmed before the pandemic, but posted on January 2— has garnered lots of attention online, being viewed a whopping 2.9 million times and receiving more than 789,700 likes.

It was also re-shared by Instagram account pubity on May 11, where it has garnered over 815,000 likes.

Giovanni posted the clip alongside the caption: "One of the best moments of my life. And I'm still in shock. An old video when the world was normal that I just wanted to share #dolphins #gayman #lgbtq."

Many shared their delight at the footage in the comments section.

TikTok user Amanda Sayaseng wrote: "This is awesome. They are so smart and playful... Flipper... literally."

Daisya Liliane added: "What'd you do today? Just taught a dolphin to do cartwheels."

A third user, Kamryn Keilty, called it "the best video I have ever seen," while user3414238980476 commented: "Dolphins are my favorite creatures."

Social media user Wendy Jones simply exclaimed: "I loved your video!!!!"

Some people were keen to highlight that an aquarium is not a natural environment for a dolphin, with Aye G writing: "Boycott zoos and aquariums."

Giovanni responded: "They were born in captivity and they are going to be released to a sanctuary sooner or later."

Dolphins are curious and sociable animals with sophisticated communication skills. Known for their playful behavior, scientists also believe they're one of the few animals that also have sex for pleasure.

On May 3, Giovanni released another clip of his magic moments, along with the caption: "Hey national Aquarium, remember me? I was just wondering when we can make part 2 happen.

"I really want to meet these dolphins face to face! I had such an amazing connection with them.

"This was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I'd love play with them and also feed them.

"Maybe even do a few cartwheels as well. So... what do you say?"

If videos of animals enjoying themselves make you smile, you might also like to watch this meerkat riding a tortoise.

This hilarious video was shared on Twitter by @buitengebieden_ on May 8 with the caption: "Mobile observation platform.."

And for pet lovers, this clip of a cat appearing to do sit-ups is too good to miss.