These Dolphins Have Lost Their Minds With Excitement At The Sight Of A Sloth
It might seem that this period of self-isolation and quarantine due to the novel coronavirus brings mostly grim news. And while that might be true for some humans, nature and animals are most likely not complaining as they get to enjoy a little bit more freedom, especially those who are usually confined to their enclosures in the zoo.
Shedd Aquarium in Chicago recently took their penguins on an adorable field trip, letting them meet the other animals living there. We also had news about orangutans in Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium befriending an otter family. And while that sounds like a really unlikely friendship, wait until you read about these dolphins completely losing it at the sight of a sloth!
If you ever had a competition for the unlikeliest friendship on Earth, dolphins and a sloth would definitely qualify
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
Even though quarantine is definitely not the greatest thing that happened to us this year (yes, yes, introverts might disagree), animals living at zoos are most likely not complaining. A little break from seeing humans every day – check; tiny adorable trips around the zoo that otherwise would probably never be possible – check.
However, dolphins at the Texas Aquarium completely lost it at the sight of a sloth
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
And while sloths may not be the most excitable animals on earth, dolphins certainly are. Maybe that’s why Texas State Aquarium decided that letting this duo meet each other was a great idea. Of course, the 3-year-old local celebrity Chico the sloth didn’t just meet dolphins on his tour around the Gulf of Mexico exhibit but their meeting was definitely the highlight of the whole adventure.
Despite the Aquarium closing its doors to humans, it seems that more doors than usual are being opened to the animals
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
On his trip around the Aquarium, Chico the sloth also had an opportunity to briefly say hello to some ducks before moving on to meet the seahorses. He was then carried on his favorite branch to meet up with a shark and some more friendly colorful fish. Chico seemed quite interested in jellyfish but nothing could compare to the last meeting with dolphins that was waiting for him.
With their temporary closing, the sleepy sloth named Chico was treated to an eye-opening adventure through the Gulf of Mexico exhibits
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
Turns out, the Aquarium staff frequently takes their animals on such “play dates”. “We frequently give the animals a chance to “meet” each other as a form of enrichment, which helps keep them active in body and mind. As some of our most popular animals, it seemed an obvious choice for our sloths and dolphins to get a chance to see each other while we were temporarily closed. We have another sloth, Xena, but on that day, she was more interested in sleeping than meeting the dolphins!”
The Texas State Aquarium decided to test the waters between two dolphins and a sloth last week
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
“Our dolphins have had the opportunity to meet several other animals over the years, including baby gators, an African serval, a red-tailed boa and others. They’re almost always very curious about the other Aquarium residents,” explained the Aquarium staff. The lucky four who got to meet Chico last week were their four male bottlenose dolphins: Shadow, Kai, Liko and Schooner.
And the results were beyond their expectations
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
“Besides making for some fin-tastic photo ops, these animal interspecies meetups are just one of the many ways we are “closed but still caring” during the COVID-19 situation. Along with enrichment opportunities for our animals, our staff is still busy at work preparing meals for and feeding the animals, maintaining their habitats, and looking after their medical care, to name just a few tasks.”
The dolphins, generally being quite cheerful animals, were both curious and infinitely excited at the sight of a sloth
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
“We’re striving to share as many of these stories as we can with our guests and viewers around the world to keep them engaged, educated and entertained while they’re at home. Right now we’ve had the most success through social media posts like this one, along with virtual views of our animals and daily live distance learning programs.”
Even though Chico the sloth didn’t show much emotion, we’re sure he enjoyed this adventure of a lifetime as well
Image credits: TXStateAquarium
You can watch the video of Chico’s trip here:
People loved seeing the meeting and joked around in the comments
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I loved the dolphin turning itself upside down. On another note, I hope the aquarium keeps Kristen Bell away, otherwise she might kidnap Chico the sloth!
Dog isn't an insult. That's disgusting. Dogs, like all animals, are amazing, beautiful creatures. Humans say they love dogs, but they're f*****g horrible to them, always using them as insults, saying it's normal and ok to beat them, they should grovel at humans' feet. Human ego is disgusting. Other animals aren't toys to dress up and pose for your amusement, or tools for you to use as you please. Good doesn't excuse evil. Humans have a serious lack of empathy when it comes to other animals. They're not mindless machines. Their emotions aren't muted. Human ego is disgusting. No one has the right to enslave, abuse, exploit, or murder any other animal, for any reason. You wouldn't do it to humans, and don't do it to other animals. It's that simple. "We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." - Albus Dumbledore Humans are animals, and no more special than any other creature. #AnimalAbuse #AnimalRights #AdoptDontShop #OptToAdopt
I think you're on the wrong article, this is about dolphins and sloths.
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I had the same face as the dolphin when I saw their reactions to the sloth.
CLEARLY, The Sloth Was Absolutely GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT AND WONDER!! As you may~ or not~ know, Sloths only come down from their 🌳 when they need to 💩~ and then THEY RUN AROUND FOR HOURS, GOING DOWN TO THE WATER TO LOOK FOR DOLPHINS~ SLOTHS JUST LOVE RIDING ON THE DOLPHIN'S BACK! WuuuHuuu~ Ride Em, Fishboy (ya know, like COWBOY??!) Anyway, Aside From What's Going On In MY Mind, which IS A Little UNUSUAL(?)~ 90% of WHAT I WROTE Is NOT ACTUALLY ACCURATE... Or Really True. But, let's face it~ when it comes to Sloths, you kinda NEED to Spice Up Their Life Story! And, from what They've Told Me, They VERY Much Appreciate It... They've told me it's tough to get by on your looks, alone. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, STAY INSIDE!😻
Super great reactions!! I absolutely loved seeing and reading this! Judita really scored !
Let's not forget that these dolphins are either wild caught or the offspring of wild caught dolphins. Read up on Taiji and what goes on there. A tank is inadequate for an animal that swims vast distances in the ocean with ease. #dontbuyaticket Read up on Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project.
What a sad thing these wonderful beings living this way... in water tank, cages... trapped, horrible... );
The dolphins didn't notice the sloth. They noticed the human. The same thing that gives them food. That's what they were reacting to. Try not to be stupid, people.
I adore the way they carry the sloth around, and he seems perfectly happy about it lol
Poor dolphins (and sloths.) Being put in prison with no chance of parole, just for human greed.. makes me physically sick to my stomach. Please don't support these animal jails.
sloths can swim, so toss him in & see how they interact. maybe he's their ancient god (or delicacy)!
idk I'd dolphin flipped upside-down for a better view, to copy, or make friends, but that is one o' the most BRILLIANT things i've ever seen!!🥰
Dolphins should NEVER be in captivity. This place should be closed and the dolphins released
I think that if the tank is big enough and they are fed the same diet they would get in the ocean, it's ok. It's better than them being in this ocean and then killed because of fishing.
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How sad that the sight of another animal to those dolphins cooped up in a too-tiny-tank would elicit such a response. Adventure of a lifetime? How about maybe letting them go back to the sea?
No one is talking about how sad it is that these dolphins are trapped in captivity, to perform for humans. They should be in the sea.
The dolphins didn't notice the sloth. They were reacting to the upright creature that gives them food. Try not to be stupid, People.
Adorable? To see animals in captivity looking at other animals not free, realizing they are not the only one prisoned? Get the f**k real!!!!!
Why are you being so negative? Most animals do that (human included). Sloths are not lazy; they're slow there's a difference. Dolphins are also 40% smarter than us, they have their own languages and the females sometimes pose as males to get a mate.
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Cages? Where do you see a cage? Also after looking into this place; they provide extensive research and conservation for many animals, they are the worlds lead authority in the Bahamian rock iguana and have saved them from extinction, and are designated a national historic landmark, plus more. Do some research instead of just jumping to conclusions.
Load More Replies... I loved the dolphin turning itself upside down. On another note, I hope the aquarium keeps Kristen Bell away, otherwise she might kidnap Chico the sloth!
Dog isn't an insult. That's disgusting. Dogs, like all animals, are amazing, beautiful creatures. Humans say they love dogs, but they're f*****g horrible to them, always using them as insults, saying it's normal and ok to beat them, they should grovel at humans' feet. Human ego is disgusting. Other animals aren't toys to dress up and pose for your amusement, or tools for you to use as you please. Good doesn't excuse evil. Humans have a serious lack of empathy when it comes to other animals. They're not mindless machines. Their emotions aren't muted. Human ego is disgusting. No one has the right to enslave, abuse, exploit, or murder any other animal, for any reason. You wouldn't do it to humans, and don't do it to other animals. It's that simple. "We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." - Albus Dumbledore Humans are animals, and no more special than any other creature. #AnimalAbuse #AnimalRights #AdoptDontShop #OptToAdopt
I think you're on the wrong article, this is about dolphins and sloths.
Load More Replies... I had the same face as the dolphin when I saw their reactions to the sloth.
CLEARLY, The Sloth Was Absolutely GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT AND WONDER!! As you may~ or not~ know, Sloths only come down from their 🌳 when they need to 💩~ and then THEY RUN AROUND FOR HOURS, GOING DOWN TO THE WATER TO LOOK FOR DOLPHINS~ SLOTHS JUST LOVE RIDING ON THE DOLPHIN'S BACK! WuuuHuuu~ Ride Em, Fishboy (ya know, like COWBOY??!) Anyway, Aside From What's Going On In MY Mind, which IS A Little UNUSUAL(?)~ 90% of WHAT I WROTE Is NOT ACTUALLY ACCURATE... Or Really True. But, let's face it~ when it comes to Sloths, you kinda NEED to Spice Up Their Life Story! And, from what They've Told Me, They VERY Much Appreciate It... They've told me it's tough to get by on your looks, alone. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, STAY INSIDE!😻
Super great reactions!! I absolutely loved seeing and reading this! Judita really scored !
Let's not forget that these dolphins are either wild caught or the offspring of wild caught dolphins. Read up on Taiji and what goes on there. A tank is inadequate for an animal that swims vast distances in the ocean with ease. #dontbuyaticket Read up on Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project.
What a sad thing these wonderful beings living this way... in water tank, cages... trapped, horrible... );
The dolphins didn't notice the sloth. They noticed the human. The same thing that gives them food. That's what they were reacting to. Try not to be stupid, people.
I adore the way they carry the sloth around, and he seems perfectly happy about it lol
Poor dolphins (and sloths.) Being put in prison with no chance of parole, just for human greed.. makes me physically sick to my stomach. Please don't support these animal jails.
sloths can swim, so toss him in & see how they interact. maybe he's their ancient god (or delicacy)!
idk I'd dolphin flipped upside-down for a better view, to copy, or make friends, but that is one o' the most BRILLIANT things i've ever seen!!🥰
Dolphins should NEVER be in captivity. This place should be closed and the dolphins released
I think that if the tank is big enough and they are fed the same diet they would get in the ocean, it's ok. It's better than them being in this ocean and then killed because of fishing.
Load More Replies... How sad that the sight of another animal to those dolphins cooped up in a too-tiny-tank would elicit such a response. Adventure of a lifetime? How about maybe letting them go back to the sea?
No one is talking about how sad it is that these dolphins are trapped in captivity, to perform for humans. They should be in the sea.
The dolphins didn't notice the sloth. They were reacting to the upright creature that gives them food. Try not to be stupid, People.
Adorable? To see animals in captivity looking at other animals not free, realizing they are not the only one prisoned? Get the f**k real!!!!!
Why are you being so negative? Most animals do that (human included). Sloths are not lazy; they're slow there's a difference. Dolphins are also 40% smarter than us, they have their own languages and the females sometimes pose as males to get a mate.
Load More Replies... Cages? Where do you see a cage? Also after looking into this place; they provide extensive research and conservation for many animals, they are the worlds lead authority in the Bahamian rock iguana and have saved them from extinction, and are designated a national historic landmark, plus more. Do some research instead of just jumping to conclusions.
Load More Replies...
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