Did you know that sea lions can play video games? Meet Spike, a sea lion who is part of the US Navy’s Marine Mammal Program and loves gaming! A few years ago, scientists from the Navy wanted to learn more about how animals like dolphins and sea lions think and learn. So, they decided to introduce them to video games!
The games started off simple. For example, Spike and his sea lion friends would aim at a target. As they got better, the games became more challenging. Now, they can even find their way through mazes and hit moving targets! It’s like they’re solving puzzles, just like we do in our favorite games.
The US Navy uses marine animals like dolphins and sea lions for important jobs. These animals help with tasks like finding underwater mines and keeping an eye on things under the sea. Sometimes, these jobs are too difficult for humans or machines, but sea lions are perfect for them!
When sea lions aren’t working, it’s important to keep them happy and healthy. Navy veterinarians and marine biologists make sure they have fun activities to do. Playing video games is one of the ways they keep the sea lions entertained and their minds sharp.
By watching how sea lions play these games, scientists learn a lot about how smart they are and how they solve problems. It’s amazing to think that designing video games for sea lions is a real job in the Navy! Isn’t that cool?
Sea lions like Spike are not just helping the Navy with important tasks, but they’re also showing us how intelligent and playful they can be. Who knew that sea lions could be such great gamers?
Sea Lion Maze Challenge: Create a simple maze on paper or using building blocks. Pretend you are a sea lion like Spike and try to find your way through the maze. Think about how Spike might feel when he solves a puzzle. After completing the maze, discuss with a friend or family member how you felt when you found the way out. Did you feel like a smart sea lion?
Design Your Own Sea Lion Game: Imagine you are a scientist designing a new video game for sea lions. What kind of game would you create? Draw a picture of your game and explain the rules. Share your game idea with your classmates or family. How do you think playing this game would help sea lions stay happy and healthy?
Observe and Report: Next time you visit a zoo or watch a nature documentary, observe how animals solve problems or play. Write down or draw what you see. How do these animals use their intelligence in ways similar to Spike the sea lion? Share your observations with your class and discuss how animals can be both smart and playful.
The Navy has been training sea lions to play video games. This is Spike, who is part of the US Navy’s Marine Mammal Program and is also a gamer. A few years ago, Navy scientists were curious about how mammals like dolphins and sea lions learn, so they introduced them to video games. The games started out relatively easy, such as aiming at a target, but these sea lions can even navigate through mazes and hit moving targets.
So, why are they doing this? The US Navy often employs marine mammals like dolphins and sea lions for tasks such as mine detection and underwater surveillance. These animals can be trained to perform tasks that are particularly challenging for humans or technology. To ensure these animals lead fulfilling lives, Navy veterinarians and marine biologists provide them with enrichment activities when they are not working, including plenty of playtime.
Additionally, these games help scientists understand how intelligent animals like sea lions solve problems. Interestingly, being a sea lion video game designer is a real job in the Navy, which is quite fascinating!
