ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Marine mammal training

Marine mammal training is when people work with animals like dolphins, whales, and seals to make them do things like jump through hoops or perform tricks.

Just like you learn new things in school, these animals learn new things too. In the wild, these animals just do what comes naturally to them, like swimming or hunting for food. But in a marine park or aquarium, trainers teach them new things that they don't do naturally, like waving their tail or jumping out of the water.

The trainers use toys, like balls or ropes, as rewards for the animals so they learn that if they do a trick, they will get a toy. They also use food treats, like fish, to help the animals to feel good about doing the trick.

The trainers use special hand gestures, whistles, and signals to communicate with the animals. They also use positive reinforcement, which means praising the animals when they do something right and ignoring them when they don't.

Overall, it's a way for humans to connect with animals and give them a chance to show off their abilities to people who might not otherwise get to see them up close.