Dolphins!!!

Today at work I got to give a rub down to two of our dolphins with another intern Dan! We just happened to luck out and pass the dolphins right at the end of one of their sessions, and the trainer Dave called us over to do it! I basically had a huge grin on my face the whole time! Dolphins are very receptive to touch, so rub downs are one way to positively reinforce them! Their skin is so slick and rubbery! I also got to do a fun activity with of of the trainers Barb, where I stood near the back pools and hit the water with a target pole, and then Calvin would come from the main pool and put his rostrum (bottlenose) onto the target. He was so cute because sometimes he would have to wait longer for the whistle to tell him that he was correct, and he would just get this look on his face like, Hellooooo, I am touching the target, what else do you want!? hahaha. I got a surprise when Barb sent both Calvin and Malabar back to me and the pole! The two of them were so cute, just sitting there with their faces on the target, waiting for the bridge!

I always mention things I get to do at work, so I figured I would add videos of the dolphin behaviors that I have gotten to cue, so that all you loyal readers can get a better idea of them!

Bow:



Tail walk:



Back tail walk:



Vocals:




And even though we do not have a baby (though I beg the trainers every day for us to get one haha) I included this video of a baby dolphin for your view pleasure!!! :)



And also for your viewing pleasure, Sarah the saxaphone playing walrus!!!! hahahahahaha



Farewell! :)