New research suggests dolphins and whales may have playful relationships far more often than we thought.

Griffith University scientists analysed 199 videos and photos of interactions between baleen whales and dolphins around the world, many captured by drones, tourists, and citizen scientists shared online.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Whales and dolphins caught playing

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In many clips, dolphins were seen bow-riding, rubbing against the whales, and even diving with them to the ocean floor.

Some encounters resembled courtship or play, while a few whales appeared irritated, especially during feeding.

But in a third of the interactions, whales — particularly humpbacks — responded with what researchers called “positive social behaviours.”

“We found that in a third of the interactions, particularly with humpback whales, the behaviour could be described as positive — rolling, belly presentation and slow, gentle movements,” said lead researcher Dr Olaf Meynecke.

In most cases, dolphins initiated the contact, often approaching the whales’ heads and appearing to seek eye contact.

“The predominant dolphin position was near the whale’s rostrum (the head) where 80 per cent of the interactions took place,” the paper reports.

Some dolphins were even seen touching or being lifted by whales suggesting the behaviour wasn’t just incidental.

Still, not every encounter was friendly.

The study observed defensive actions by whales, including tail slaps and surface trumpeting, especially during moments of feeding or competition.

The team gathered social media footage spanning two decades, calling it an “invaluable” tool for tracking rare marine behaviour in the wild.

“Social media can help fill knowledge gaps traditional research may miss,” the paper noted.

However, researchers stressed caution when interpreting marine mammal intent.

The study, published in Discover Animals, offers a rare glimpse into the complex social lives of whales and dolphins hinting at a world of interspecies friendship, play, and cooperation yet to be fully understood.