On March, 1, 2018, the College Marine Biology classes took a trip to the Long Island Aquarium. Not only did the students that attended have the opportunity to feed the stingrays, but they got to attend to see a Sea Lion and African Penguin show!

When the students first walked into this magnificent aquarium they were greeted by four sea lions in an outside tank, right in the front of the building; this was only the beginning of a day full of marine sightseeing. The students were next greeted by a tank filled with stingrays, tiny tiger sharks, and horseshoe crabs, with a sign that said “Feeding time 11 o’clock.” The students then had about two hours to wander about looking at whatever they please. Since they got to the aquarium early, they had the whole facility to themselves, which made seeing their favorite marine animals that much more pleasurable.

The aquarium had mesmerizing displays of coral reefs and many other colorful fishes. There was this section of the aquarium where it was shaped like a cave and when you walk through you can be face to face with an enormous sharks. These sharks had a confused look on their face as to why meer humans are feasting their eyes on the ocean’s greatest predator. A little further into the aquarium students had to opportunity to see male and female seahorses. If you looked close enough you can tell that there was a male seahorse pregnant and about to burst; he was huge!

There was then an announcement over the loudspeaker that stated “5 minutes till the sea lion show.” It was at this time that students rushed to their seats to get a front row look on a well behaved sea lion doing amazing tricks. The trainer started off by cleaning the 200 pound female sea lion, with an ordinary toothbrush! The sea lion then showed off her painting skills by blotting little stamps of her nose on a scrapbook. Lastly, the sea lion leaps into the air, nearly 12 feet high, and taps a ball with the tip of her nose, then gracefully entering back into the water. These sea lions seemed very happy and they didn’t have any shortage of fish!

Towards the end of the trip, students had the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research. Students got a tour of the facility as well as an informational powerpoint that provided the information for why the Riverhead Foundation does what they do.

The trip to the aquarium was not only fun, but provided students with information on how to take better care of themselves, and the animal, when faced with a marine mammal. A big thank you to Mr. Costanzo for making this trip an unforgettable experience for the students who attended.