Sea World Guide (Digital Form 2.0)

Directions: As you explore Sea World, read through the information given about each section at Sea World. At each section, answer the corresponding question. Make sure you write your name!

• "Shamu's Secret" provides you with a little insider secret about the location.

• "Dive Deeper" provides you with extra activities you can do to get more out of your trip to Sea World.

Penguin Encounter

• All six penguin species at the Penguin Encouter have reproduced here. Since the attraction opened in 1983, hundreds of chicks have been raised successfully. SeaWorld San Diego was the first zoological facility in the world to breed emperor penguins.

• Bands on each flipper identify individual penguins. Bands help SeaWorld aviculturists monitor each bird’s food intake and health. It also helps identify breeding pairs, ensuring genetic variation within the colony.

• During summer, SeaWorld Penguin Keepers dim the lights inside the Penguin Encounter. Why?

SHAMU’S SECRET SeaWorld San Diego participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Humboldt penguins, a vulnerable species. The SSP is a captive propagation and management program to preserve, in zoos and aquariums, species that are threatened or endangered in the wild.

DIVE DEEPER Penguin habitats and food sources are threatened by global climate change. Use the library or Internet to discover which species are most at risk. Brainstorm, as a class, ways to help prevent the build-up of atmospheric carbon dioxide that leads to climate change.

Animal Connections

• Can you find the frog habitat? Frogs belong to the scientific Class Amphibia. Other amphibians are toads, newts, salamanders, axolotls, and caecilians. Most amphibians undergo metamorphosis from the larval to the adult life stages. Tadpoles have gills for breathing underwater and a tail for swimming. Adult frogs have lungs for respiration on land and absorb oxygen through their skin in water. Their legs are adapted for leaping and swimming.

• Water monitors typically burrow in river banks. The burrow’s entrance begins with a downward slope but then increases forming a shallow pool of water. The burrow averages 9.5 m in length, 2 m in diameter, and about 26˚C in temperature. What is the approximate volume of the average-sized burrow (assume that the burrow’s shape is a cylinder)?

SHAMU’S SECRET Many of these animal are SeaWorld Animal Ambassadors — they travel around the country visiting schools and making television appearances.

DIVE DEEPER Some animals at Animal Connections are popular exotic pets. Research online how this can damage wild populations, and the precautions you should take when considering getting one of your own.

SHARK ENCOUNTER

• Elasmobranchii is a scientific subclass of cartilaginous fishes that includes sharks and rays. Like all fishes, sharks have fins. A caudal (tail) fin is used for propulsion; pectoral fins provide lift; dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins aid in stability.

• Sharks are excellent hunters. In addition to the seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting senses that we have, sharks have two other senses. What are they?

• Of about 400 species of sharks in the world, only a few have ever attacked people. Shark attacks are very rare, and when a shark does attack, it rarely eats its victim. Can you think of two reasons a shark might attack a human?

SHAMU’S SECRET In 1996 the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) awarded SeaWorld San Diego the prestigious Significant Achievement Award. This award recognizes SeaWorld’s elasmobranch breeding program. Cownosed rays, bat rays, swell sharks, Pacific blacktip sharks, whitetip sharks, leopard sharks, and bonnethead sharks have all reproduced at SeaWorld.

DIVE DEEPER Each year, humans catch millions of sharks mostly for their valuable fins; the key ingredient in shark fin soup. Many people feel that this is not a problem since they believe that all sharks are dangerous. Yet, very few shark species are potentially dangerous to humans. Have your students find out why sharks are an important part of their ocean ecosystems and what is currently happening to shark populations. Then discuss whether sharks pose a larger threat to humans or humans to sharks.

Flamingos

• These tall pink birds are Caribbean flamingos. They are filter feeders. They hang their heads upside down in the water and sweep their heads from side to side to filter food from the water. Their diet includes blue-green and red algae, diatoms, larval and adult forms of small insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fishes.

• A flamingo gets its color from an organic compound called carotene. This substance, found in the food a flamingo eats, keeps the feathers pink. Without its regular diet, a flamingo’s feathers will grow in white or gray. Can you think of any foods that people eat that contain carotene?

SHAMU’S SECRET To keep our flamingos healthy and looking their best, SeaWorld bird keepers feed these birds a commercial flamingo food. This food was developed to meet their nutritional needs and provide them with the compounds necessary to maintain their color.

DIVE DEEPER These flamingos are pinioned — portions of their wings were removed so they can’t fly. This procedure prevents the flamingos from flying away. Why is that important? In San Diego, the flamingo is not a native species. If released here, flamingos could damage native San Diego habitats and outcompete native wildlife. Use the library or Internet to find out more about exotic versus native species.

Bat Rays

• Bat rays are flattened fish that are related sharks. Like sharks, rays have skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone and breathe through gill slits. A rays gill slits are located ventrally (on the underside) of the head, while a sharks are located on each side of the head.

• Most fishes swim with their mouths open to allow water to freely flow across their gills for respiration. Since bat rays rest on the bottom, they have an additional way to bringing oxygen-carrying water to its gills. What adaptation does a bat ray use?

SHAMU’S SECRET Bat rays are born with sharp spines on their tails. They use these to defend themselves from predators. SeaWorld Aquarists remove the rays’ spines to protect themselves and SeaWorld guests from being accidentally stung by the rays.

DIVE DEEPER We enjoy some of the same foods that marine animals, like bat rays, need to survive. Overfishing and irresponsible harvesting have damaged entire ecosystems. Research online about how choosing to eat only sustainable seafood protects various species of aquatic animals and their habitats.

PACIFIC POINT

• Although they look similar, seals and sea lions are very different animals. One of the easiest ways to figure out whether an animal is a seal or a sea lion is to look at its ears. Sea lions have external ear flaps; seals do not. Look for other differences by watching the way each moves on land and in the water, and listening to their vocalizations.

• Scientists study seals and sea lions in a number of ways. They can observe animals on land during the breeding season, but for most of the year, the animals are at sea and difficult to study. Scientists at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute use satellite transmitters to track seals at sea. What kind of data do you think scientists obtain from these transmitters?

SHAMU’S SECRET Each year, SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team rescues dozens of ill or injured seals and sea lions from San Diego County beaches. They care for these animals in a behind-the-scenes area, with the goal of returning them to sea when they are able to survive on their own. If you’re at the beach and spot a marine mammal you think needs to be rescued, let a lifeguard or park ranger know or contact a local marine mammal rescue organization

DIVE DEEPER What are some other types of wildlife that may need to be rescued? As a class, make a list of some of the reasons that these animals might need to be rescued and cared for. Which reasons are caused by humans? How we can protect wildlife from from these human-caused dangers?

OTTER OUTLOOK

• SeaWorld San Diego was involved in the rehabilitation of Alaska sea otters affected by the 1989 Valdez oil spill. HubbsSeaWorld Research Institute scientists helped coordinate the rescue. About 360 otters were rescued and treated at nearby rehabilitation facilities. Of these, 195 were successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

• Damage to a sea otter’s internal organs, particularly the liver, was caused from ingesting crude oil. Scientists administered an activated charcoal treatment, given orally, to bind to the oil hydrocarbons in the intestine and allow them to pass.

• Most marine mammals have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm in cold ocean water. Sea otters don’t have a blubber layer. How do sea otters keep warm?

SHAMU’S SECRET Following the 1989 oil spill in Alaska, scientists at the HubbsSeaWorld Research Institute discovered the best way to clean sea otters with oil in their fur. They discovered that dishwashing detergent removed the oil from an otter’s fur without hurting the otter. If there is an oil spill, dishwashing detergent is still used to clean the fur or feathers of oiled animals.

DIVE DEEPER The California sea otter population is not recovering as much as it should. Research on the Internet to find out what’s keeping their population low and how people can help sea otters recover.

DOLPHIN POINT

• Animal studbooks are tools for monitoring and managing captive animal populations. Studbooks contain the past and present information on all births, deaths, and international transfers of a particular species. SeaWorld maintains the bottlenose dolphin studbook. Studbook information is often used to make breeding decisions that ensure genetic variation.

• Veterinarians prescribe vitamins on a per-pound-of-food intake basis. A bottlenose dolphin gets one multivitamin with every 2.3 kg (5 lb.) of food (fish and squid). Adult bottlenose dolphins eat about 4% to 6% of their body weight each day.

• Using this information, estimate how many multi-vitamins a 181 kg (400 lb.) adult bottlenose dolphin receives each day.

SHAMU’S SECRET More than 70 bottlenose dolphins have been born at SeaWorld San Diego since the 1970s. Many of the dolphins you see at Dolphin Point are a result of this successful breeding program.

DIVE DEEPER Many people think it would be fun to interact with dolphins in the wild. But it’s not a good idea — for people or dolphins. As a class, list reasons why. Visit this Web site for more information: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/education/protectdolphs.html

SHAMU CLOSE UP

• Since 1985, SeaWorld parks have had more than 20 successful killer whale births. These births include a second-generation birth --the first killer whale born and raised in the care of humans is now a mother herself. From these births, scientists have learned about killer whale reproductive physiology--information virtually impossible to gather from studying whales in the wild.

• SeaWorld veterinarians and trainers conduct regular examinations of the whales. Based on what you learned at your education presentation today, what do you think might be some common examination procedures?

SHAMU’S SECRET Through husbandry training, milk samples have been collected from lactating killer whales at SeaWorld. The fat content of the mother’s milk ranges from about 28% to 48%. This fat-rich milk helps a killer whale calf develop a thick, insulating layer of blubber.

DIVE DEEPER If fishes swim and feed in polluted waters, certain contaminants may build up in their bodies over time. A killer whale eating these fish may build up an even greater load of contaminants. Because they feed at the top of the ocean food chain, killer whales are very susceptible to pollution. How can people keep pollution out of the ocean?

BELUGA WHALES AT WILD ARCTIC

• Belugas live in the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas. During certain times of the year, they may swim into cold rivers like the St. Lawrence and Yukon rivers of Canada. Arctic water temperatures may be as low as 0°C (32°F).

• Unlike most whale species, the seven neck vertebrae of a beluga whale are not fused. This greater mobility and flexibility of the neck allows the head a wide range of motion.

• Belugas are extremely vocal and are called “sea canaries.” Their vocalizations are heard above water and through ship hulls. Yet, toothed whales do not have vocal cords. How do you think belugas produce sound? Find the sound box and listen to beluga vocalizations. Why do belugas make these vocalizations?

SHAMU’S SECRET To assist with the beluga whales’ care at SeaWorld, a ledge surrounds the pool, making it easier for veterinarians to take blood and other samples during examinations.

DIVE DEEPER At school, locate the Cook Inlet on a map of North America (hint: it’s located on the coast of the only U.S. state that lies in the Arctic.) The Cook Inlet population of beluga whales was hunted to the brink of extinction. Even though hunting no longer occurs, this beluga population is not growing as much as it should be. Research online what factors may be keeping this beluga population from recovering.

POLAR BEARS AT WILD ARCTIC

• Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic. They inhabit seasonal sea ice, water, islands, and continental coastlines. The scientific name for polar bear, Ursus maritimus, is Latin for “sea bear.”

• Polar bears are one of the largest land carnivores. The largest polar bear ever recorded was a male weighing 1,002 kg (2,209 lb.) and measuring 3.7 m (12 ft.) long.

• Polar bears have a dense coat of fur that appears mainly white. In fact, the hairs are actually translucent and hollow and reflect light, giving a polar bear its white coloration.

• Polar bears are apex (top) predators in the Arctic. What is the main prey of polar bears? What senses do polar bears use to find their prey?

SHAMU’S SECRET SeaWorld’s polar bears have taken part in a groundbreaking study. Scientists from the Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute are studying polar bear hearing in hopes of helping wild polar bears adjust to climate change related shifting of their populations to areas near humans.

DIVE DEEPER Polar bears and other arctic wildlife are vulnerable to changes in seasonal sea ice and other effects of global climate change. Divide the students into groups and have them research on the Internet to discover which arctic animals may be affected by climate change. Have them present their findings to the class.

WALRUSES AT WILD ARCTIC

• Walruses belong to the group of animals called Pinnipeds. What other kinds of mammals are pinnipeds?

• The vibrissae (whiskers) located on the face of a walrus help locate prey on the dark ocean bottom. A walrus may have as many as 700 vibrissae on its face. A substantial nerve network transmits tactile information from the vibrissae to the brain.

• Walruses are benthic (bottom) feeders, preferring molluscs such as clams. An adult walrus may eat as many as 3,000 to 6,000 clams at a single feeding. Observations have indicated that walruses fill their stomachs twice daily. How many clams might a single walrus consume in one year?

SHAMU’S SECRET The walrus exhibit in Wild Arctic has a scale built into the floor in the back area. The walruses are trained to go on the scale so they can be weighed on a regular basis.

DIVE DEEPER The United States has laws that protect different animals. Walruses and other marine mammals are protected by the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act, which bans commercial hunting, allowing only native subsistence hunting. In the school library or online, find out what animals are protected by law in your state.