SeaWorld Sea Lion Show Full of Animal Behavior Hijinks

December 17, 2009 by TriciaDees •

Some of the crew behind the scenes at "Deck the Halls with Clyde and Seamore."

Jamie, Jason, and Annie with Clyde behind the scenes at "Deck the Halls with Clyde and Seamore."

I had a chance to sit down with the Sea Lion, Walrus, and Otter Stadium team to talk about their holiday show, “Deck the Halls with Clyde and Seamore,” in terms of all the animal behaviors. Here is what they said:

What behavior do you want people to notice in the show?

The list pull, since it might get missed in the background and that there is a trainer talking on stage. The list pull is on the dock, where the otter comes out and pulls a string to change how the “naughty and nice list” reads.

What behavior took the longest to train?

The sleigh pull with the otter, but only because we changed where the sleigh was going several times.

What behaviors are you training for the next show?

More aerials!

What behavior is your favorite in the show?

Jamie (associate trainer)—the Nutcracker sequence!

Jason (trainer)—the fruitcake pass

Jeremy (apprentice trainer)—the double back flips

Chazz (apprentice trainer)—the poem

Annie (trainer)—the otter in the present

Shannon (apprentice trainer)—the list pull