So here we are – on the bus, on our way to Tampa, after a fun filled, super educational and packed day at Sea World. Eileen and Cat – our educators – spent the day with us and made sure our 5 hours with them covered as much as possible of the different types of marine life available in the park.
We were divided into two groups of 14 students each (plus chaperons) and headed off to our first stop. Each group had some of the same educational experiences and some that were different.
Mrs. Nicholas’ and Mr. Bakers group began the day at the “Dolphin Discovery Cove” where we attempted to touch the dolphins – some of us were lucky, but just for a split second. We also watched the dolphins from an underwater observation point. Dolphins are quite amazing mammals that are very social and work together to catch their food. They do have a matriartical social society.
Next was the behind the scene tour of the Sea World Rescue Center. Here we learned about the Green Sea turtle and the Manatees. Some of these animals will be released back into the sea and others, who had been injured to severely, stay at Sea World indefinitely. One of the rescued manatees was Pixie – a small 3-month-old infant that had been found without her mother. Pixie is bottled feed every 2-3 hours. From there we headed to the Stingray encounter. Touching the Stingrays and feeling their very “slimy” skin was oh so cool! Then it was time for lunch.
Learning about classifications, taxonomy, Carlous Linnaeus, and the kingdoms took place in the on site classroom. While there, we also looked at different skulls and tried to identify what kind of animal it belonged to. On our way to the Shamu Show, we stopped and checked out the Beluga Whales. These white creatures with out a dorsal fin are often referred to as the Canaries of the sea as they have over 30 different sounds that they frequently communicate with.
At the Shamu Show some of our guys decided they wanted to sit in the “splash zone” and boy did they get splashed on – they got soaked. At least they now have bragging rights that they got splashed by a Killer Whale. We made a quick stop to visit the polar bears and the seals and sea lions before heading to our next show - The Sea Lion and the Otter Show. Clyde and Seamore – the two Sea Lions – were quite the entertainers. Our final stop with our educators was at the Shark Encounters area where we learned to respect and understand the sharks instead of being afraid of them.
Mrs. Rhodes’, Mrs. Brunk’s and Mrs. Bostic's groups were fortunate enough to also get to stop at the Turtle Encounter where they learned about 3 different kinds of carnivorous sea turtles as well as about the green sea turtle being the only one that is an omnivore. Did you know they are called green sea turtles because of the color of their fat? The chlorophyll from all the green sea grass and algae they eat can be found concentrated there. This group also learned many very cool songs as they traveled to and from the different parts of the park.
Of course there was plenty of time left over at the end of the day for everyone to enjoy Kraken and Manta - the parks very awesome roller coasters - and some of the other attractions. The weather was beautiful and with mid 70's we had it made.
All in all this was yet Another Amazing Day!
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