Splish, Splash – Wait, I need to touch a fish?!

Posted Feb 24, 2009

This post written by Lauren H

Recently, my five year old son Alex and I got the opportunity to go to Sea World, Orlando. This was his very first time, and I think my parents may have taken me when I was about his age. I couldn’t wait to experience the fun through my son’s eyes.

Alexzander loves science.. how things grow, why things work, and sea creatures are extremely interesting to him. He had a billion and one questions for me at every turn, and thankfully the employees at Sea World were able to help me explain what and why on more than one occasion. The one thing that we wanted to do- aside from seeing Shamu- was to feed the dolphins. Living in Florida, occasionally we are blessed with the experience of seeing wild dolphins as we cross the bridges in the Tampa Bay area, and once we even went on a ‘dolphin encounter’ type boat, but never, ever did we have the experience that we had at Sea World.

We lined up with our receipt for our tray of fish, and right away Alex started asking questions.. “Why do they have a hole on the top of their heads?” “Why does the lady on the microphone call their heads ‘melons’?” “Can I touch it?” “Will it bite me?” “Does a dolphin have teeth?” After I answered him as best as I could, it was our turn to head to the feeding area. The staff explained all the rules to us, and to watch out for the pesky seagulls. The Sea World associates filled our order of fish, and Alex looked at me wide eyed and said, “Wait, I need to touch a fish?!”

Feeding the dolphins was undeniably the coolest thing I have ever done. These majestic creatures came right up to the edges of the habitat they were in, and looked at us with these giant smiles and round black eyes. My son and I touched under their mouths as they came right up and ate fish from our hands. Alex got to see that dolphins did indeed have teeth, and giggled about how they felt rubbery. One of them even came out of the water and laid across the ledge in front of us! It was amazing, watching the warm Florida sun glisten off their bodies! After the feeding time ended, the dolphins swam back to the deeper parts of the habitat, and several even bound into the air with excitement. It truly was amazing!

Our memories feeding the dolphins in Sea World, Orlando will be something that we’ll remember for a long time. In fact, I know I’ll never forget it.

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Bubbles (30)

  1. Ashley K. Edwards said on February 24, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Your photos are amazing! Way to truly capture the up-close, live-interaction with the dolphins.

  2. Heather Shields said on February 25, 2009 at 11:45 am

    That sounds like so much fun. I want to go to Sea World and visit the dolphins!

  3. Rob O. said on February 25, 2009 at 11:54 am

    Dede & I got the feed the dolphins at SeaWorld San Diego and it was great fun – except that the seagulls provided very aggressive competition for the dolphins and several times snatched the little fishes right out of my hand before the dolphins could get ‘em.

    We also had a chance to interact – but not really swim – with dolphins in the water while in Cancun a few years back. We even got to give the dolphins a hug!

  4. Angie said on February 25, 2009 at 11:50 pm

    We’re in the Tampa Bay area too. Even though seeing them in the wild is amazing, you aren’t going to get this sort of interactive experience by standing on a beach looking at the dolphins play off the shore. My daughter and I love it when we can get down to Sea World.

  5. Lydia said on February 26, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    I’ve never seen a dolphin that close, either through a glass or watching a show in the bleachers. I want to sometime when I get a chance. Dolphins are amazing!

  6. Pat Curry said on February 27, 2009 at 11:19 am

    I have to stop in at your site daily for a dolphin bubble fix. Amazing! You might also enjoy Discovery Cove and swim with a dolphin, give it a hug. (mine was named Dixie and I will never forget her) You can also wade with rays and feed exotic wild birds from world-over in what seems like an open air forest. Let me in on the fun if you go, please!

  7. Davida said on March 1, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    I’d love for my family to take a trip like that!

    Davida

  8. Laura said on March 1, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    Nice! I love the article and the pic’s

  9. Paula said on March 1, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    the pics are great!!

  10. Regan said on March 1, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    What a fun day!!! Great article!

  11. Beth said on March 2, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Must have enjoyed your day to the fullest!!! really nice to read your article thanks!!!

  12. Capiz Bloggers said on March 2, 2009 at 10:57 am

    Wow, I enjoyed watching the picture and reading the article about dolphins.

  13. Lisa said on March 2, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    It sounds like you had a great time. I love the pictures. The article actually made me want to visit Sea World.

  14. Extracash said on March 3, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    Tha must be real great!

  15. heidi said on March 10, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    I am amazed at Dolphins and would love to see one up close. great pics.

  16. Tylus said on March 12, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    So cute

  17. Ochoche said on March 17, 2009 at 6:10 am

    Indeed, the dolphins are a manifestation of the goodness of God. Let us all turn back to him and everyday of our lives would be as exciting and joy-filled as the dolphins’.

  18. Honoria N said on April 1, 2009 at 5:43 am

    Love this – that’s what life is all about, celebrate!

  19. alexis said on November 14, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    wat u doing dolphin friends.

  20. alexis sumblin sawyer said on November 24, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    nothing just texting on c.r.whatch you ding.

  21. trey james sumblin said on January 22, 2010 at 6:46 pm

    what you doing.

  22. alexis sumblin sawyer said on January 22, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    nothing what you doing dolphin friends its alexis.

  23. alexis sumblin sawyer said on January 28, 2010 at 10:25 am

    ha every body what youdoing i saw some dolphin down in sea world for my good time.

  24. lexi said on January 30, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    i love dolphins! I wish I could work at Sea World. I would get to see all of those dolphins. Thanks!

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    Having read your article, has learnt seeking itself a fortune of the new. Unfortunately, something has not understood. Where you took this tidings and where it is reasonable to present more?

  27. Beverly Chang said on May 19, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    That was a intriguing view on this
    interesting

  28. Krazy Kampers said on June 30, 2010 at 11:36 am

    It was very cool how the dolphins formed their rings. It was AWESOME! We loved how they played with their rings with each other!

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