Marine biology info!!!?

Question

ok i absolutely love dolphins. SO what i need to know is : is someone who trains dolphins and does dolphin shows are they marine biologists?? and if so, how much do they make a year? would it be enough to support a family well? also, if a dolphin trainer isnt a marine biologist, then what is it!!!!!

Answer 1

http://www.dolphintrainer.com/career_gui...

Is a marine mammal trainer the same thing as a marine biologist?

We often hear people say, "I want to be a marine biologist and train dolphins". While it is true that some marine biologists do train dolphins and many trainers have degrees in biology, the two job descriptions are really quite different. Many folks mistakenly lump marine mammal trainers, marine biologists and oceanographers into one homogenous group. Oceanographers primarily study the physical nature of the world’s oceans, for example, their chemical, geological, and atmospheric aspects. A marine biologist is generally someone who studies life in the seas and oceans. They may specialize in such areas as anatomy, physiology, behavior or ecology. The subjects of their investigations may range from microscopic single celled organisms to 150 ton blue whales. Proportionately very few of these scientists work hands on with or train living marine mammal species. A good marine mammal trainer may study and utilize knowledge from all of these fields (and more), but each of these careers are really part of their own specialized discipline.

http://www.theswig.com/FAQ.htm (The Sea World Information Guide Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I become a trainer?

Obviously, you're going to need to be enrolled in a science program, either Marine Science or Marine Biology. Marine Science, while a fair amount of work to get through, will not adequately prepare you for a career working with animals. Most Marine Science majors end up on oceanographic missions such as charting marine weather patterns, currents, tides, etc. Marine Biology would be best for those wishing to work as a trainer or with animals in general. In addition to learning about the marine environment and its inhabitants, expect to take a lot of math classes, as well as Physics and Chemistry.

The requirements to be a Sea World trainer include a friendly, outgoing personality, the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, SCUBA certification, and STRONG swimming skills.

In general, you will not hire in as a trainer. When a position opens on the training staff, Sea World prefers to promote or transfer from its existing pool of employees. That means that today's popcorn vendor can be next year's Shamu trainer. Well, assistant anyway. Being a trainer is more than just wanting the job. You will start off by slinging fish and cleaning the facilities. It can be as long as two years before you are actually in the water with the animals. Although they are cute and seem friendly, they are wild and can react instinctively at any time. Even a 4-foot long common dolphin can readily kill a human.

*****Oh, and one final thing. There are no rich marine scientists or marine biologists out there. The pay at Sea World is not far above minimum wage. You will work, long, hard hours. You may not get to be a trainer, even after several years on the job, or you may end up working with animals you'd rather not.*****

Did I scare you off yet? If not, then may you have what it takes: An undying love of animals that is foremost to everything else in your life. It's not a financially rewarding career, but the emotional payoff can be incredible.

http://www.marinemammalogy.org/strat.htm...

How to become a marine mammal trainer:

Most marine mammal trainers start by volunteering at an oceanarium or zoo. Often people work in other departments, such as operations, maintenance, or education, before transferring to a job in animal training. For the best advice about a career in marine mammal training, contact the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association.

http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/ZooCar...

5. Training

Animal trainers have one of the most visible jobs within a zoological park--the one most people ask about, and one of the most difficult to get. There are a very limited number of openings in this field. Background experience helpful for a position in this department would include courses or knowledge in zoology, behavioral and experimental psychology, animal behavior, public speaking, communications, education, and theater.

Good health and strong athletic fitness are mandatory. Expect to undergo a rigorous swim test when applying for an animal training position at an aquatic park. In addition, the ability to communicate with the public in a positive manner and plenty of patience are required of anyone who would like to become a trainer. Because they announce and narrate at the shows in which the animals perform, confident public speaking skills are essential for animal trainers.

*****

c. Animal Trainer

      Minimum education: Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred in psychology, biological sciences, or drama; in some cases, scuba certification

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...

FAQ 16

Will the EATM program give me an advantage over any other schools or programs?

.....Many of our students want to train marine mammals - we send graduates all over the world to do this. Especially to the Caribbean - a new Dolphin Program hired 4 graduates in the summer of 2001, and more in 2002, 2003 & 2004.

The May 2003 graduates currently have many wonderful jobs. One is working in Shamu Stadium at Sea World in San Diego, training the Killer Whales! (His photo is to the right) .......Others are with various Marine Mammal facilities in the U.S. and abroad. Graduates from the class of 2004 are working training Guide Dogs in California, with marine mammals at Sea World Orlando, Sea Life Marine Park in Hawaii, Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California - and many other facilities. Graduates from the class of 2008 have jobs at - Sea World San Diego, the U.S. Navy training sea lions, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, Universal Studios Hollywood - and many other places.  EATM graduates get jobs everywhere.

As well as education you should also work on getting as much hands-on experience as you can. Try to volunteer at a Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center.

Other experience opportunities might be: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_f...

• Veterinary offices

• Animal training classes (does your dog need obedience training?)

• Local Humane Society

• Local Park Service

• Wildlife rehabilitation centers (like for wolves, bears, big cats, birds of prey, and even bats)

• Animal shelters

• Farms (for domestic animals, or even ostrich, llama, or butterfly farms)

• Pet breeders (those that breed specific kinds of dogs, cats, or horses)

• Horse stables and boarding facilities

• 4-H Clubs

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources...

CATCH 22?

1. To get a job working with animals, you need experience with animals. This bit of truth seems to create a frustrating circle. You need experience to get a job, but you can't get experience unless you have a job, right? Well, yes and no.

VOLUNTEER

1. To begin a career caring for animals, you should be prepared to start with a volunteer or entry-level position. Call your nearest zoo or aquatic park and ask for details on becoming a volunteer (also called a docent or intern). Humane societies, animal rehabilitation clinics, and some veterinary clinics also welcome volunteers. Although your duties with a humane society or veterinary clinic will most likely involve working indirectly with animals (cleaning cages and preparing food), volunteer duties at a zoo or aquatic park range from filing or answering phones to being trained to make educational presentations or feed newly hatched birds.......

http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/bec...

I Want to Train Dolphins and Whales

Here's my advice. Love dolphins and whales. Admire their beauty and their grace as they swim and move through their scores of exciting behavioral maneuvers. Worry about the whales, for many of them are in danger. Support organizations that try to conserve whales.

Okay. Now please keep in mind that there are VERY FEW people in the world who study whales or other marine mammals! Same thing for dolphin trainers. Yes there are many public aquaria in the United States, but the number of people that work with dolphins as trainers are also very few. Most emails I get start with "I have always wanted to be a dolphin trainer." Fine, but you better keep your options open, just the way aspiring rock stars usually have a "day job." If every person who wanted to study dolphins went on to do so, then just about every dolphin would have its own personal observer! You are in a vast company because everyone loves dolphins. The important point is: MARINE BIOLOGY IS A LOT MORE THAN DOLPHINS. There are many important areas that you can study. Dolphins are an important part, but only a part, of the universe of marine biology. (Same goes for you shark fans.)

If you truly wanted to do research on marine mammals you could enter this field through one of two routes. First, you could become a biology major in college, taking courses in vertebrate biology, physiology and evolution. Most marine mammalogists were biology majors in college. As an alternative, you could become a veterinarian, with the ultimate hope of understanding mammalian anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, and understanding the biology of mammals and their ailments. This would be a very rare route, although an interesting one.

Folks with either sort of training might find their way into aquaria and become dolphin trainers. I have to admit: I do not see dolphin trainers as marine biologists, really, even though some of them may educate the public.

Most marine mammalogists work hard at studying the behavior and physiology (functioning in the physical and chemical environment) of marine mammals, do observations on population sizes and migration routes, d

Answer 2

This article is a really good overview...and about the salary, don't do it if you want to make a lot of money, this job is for people who see their reward as a job they love regardless of the pay.