Dolphin Dome Training

Go 17 feet underwater for a special training session in the Indianapolis Zoo's dolphin viewing dome! Trainers Amy, Kelly and Dustin introduce several members of our pod and offer an up-close look at dolphins’ agility and adaptations for life in the water. As air-breathing marine mammals, dolphins have a blowhole on the top of their head to breathe and only take in food through their mouth. Dolphins can hold their breath underwater for about 8-10 minutes, so ours are easily able to dive down and interact with their trainers at the dome for several minutes before resurfacing to breathe and enjoy some delicious fish. At the Indianapolis Zoo, our dolphins have training sessions each day to learn new behaviors and strengthen the bonds with our animal care team. While most of the training happens poolside, changing the venue and offering underwater sessions engages our dolphins in a new and unique way.