Q&A: Marine Mammal Training?
by Phil Romans
Question by LJHush: Marine Mammal Training?
I’ve always been into dolphins and whales and always thought it would be cool to work with them. But I thought that marine biology and marine mammal training were the same thing. But they aren’t.
I was wondering what the education requirements are to be a marine mammal trainer?
What classes should I take in high teach?
How many years would I spend in college training for this job?
Do I have to do anything out side of college to do this?
What do I have to be excellent at?
I’m going into 9th and this last year the teachers and guidance and everyone was like “Find jobs that interest you and keep those in mind. then choose what you want to go to college for.”
So I was interested and I want to find out more. I’ve found some websites and they’ve helped, but the questions I posted up there are still perched around and I don’t know answers to them.
Best answer:
Answer by SC
The people i’ve met responsibility mammal training often had no formal training at all. But if you’re interested in responsibility scientific research with them then you’ll want a background in the sciences like biology, zoology, marine biology, microbiology, etc. Having a scientific background gives you a excellent leg up on your competition and provides you with more choices.
Keep in mind that if you plot to do marine mammal training, you’re no more than a person who trains captive animals to do tricks. It’ s not much of a life for an intelligent animal to be in a tank responsibility tricks for people’s amusement.
I’d go the send of learning more in this area cetaceans in their own environment.
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As stated above, marine mammal training is not marine biology, its doubtful that any schools have a curriculum tailored towards that goal. Animal behavior, ethology, and comparitive psychology would be useful courses to take if thats what you want to do. You may even want to major in psychology and take some animal bio classes. Its a long, diffucult road to become a trainer. You’ll spend years as an apprentice, cleaning and feeding, before you get to interact with the animals. Volunteer with animals any time you get. If you can’t work with a local marine mammal stranding/rehab group, then at least work with dogs or cats if you can. Establish that you are able to work and hold a job. Practice swimming and be personable. There isn’t a lot of money in the field, but the people who do it don’t do it to be rich.