Look daddy a Shark

Did you know that Dolphin Cove is home to sharks?   We are committed the the preservation of these beautiful misunderstood creatures.    In doing so we have some nurse sharks that we have here that we enjoy teaching you our guests about.   So here is a couple of interesting things you may not have known about the nurse shark.

Did you know that they get there name not because the nurse but because they make a sucking noise when they are looking for food?

Did you know that they can live up to 35 years of age?

Did you know that most fish including most sharks must keep moving in order to breath but not the nurse shark.  They have figured out that if they position themselves against the flow of the water they can remain motionless and still breath.

Interesting don't you think?  

So Dolphin Cove is more than Dolphins,  its a entire adventure and a learning one at that.   Come to Dolphin Cove Jamaica for the day to make memories of a lifetime.

True or false, Stingrays

If you have been to one of our Dolphin Cove locations you know we have stingrays as a added attraction.  You are able to snorkel, swim, and touch these beautiful creatures.   Here are some interesting facts for you to decide if they are true or false.   (Hint, they are all true)  Never fear because at Dolphin Cove we do NOT remove the barbs that can kill you,  We clip them (for your safety and because it is cruel to remove them) Stingray Facts Stingrays are diverse group of fish characterized by flattened bodies. They can be found in oceans in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Stingrays like warm and shallow water. Most of their time, they will be hidden on the ocean floor. There are 60 different species of stingrays. Some of them are threatened.

Interesting Stingray Facts:
Largest stingrays can reach 6.5 feet in length and weigh up to 790 pounds.
Stingrays are close relatives of shark. Like sharks, they don't have bony skeleton. Their skeleton is made of cartilage, same material that builds our nose and ears.
Their flattened body ends with long tail that usually contains spine and venom. Spine can be serrated in some species.
They use spine and venom to protect against predators. Stingrays can kill a lot of different animals, including humans.
Ancient Greek dentists used stingray's venom as anesthetic.
People that live in the areas where stingrays can be found use their spines to make a weapon (daggers). Venom remains deadly even if it is extracted from a dead stingray.
Their eyes are located on the top of the head, but they don't use eyes to find prey. Stingrays have electro-sensors which help them detect electrical charges that prey emits.
Mouths are located on the bottom side of their body. When they catch clams, shrimps, and mussels, they will crash and eat them using their powerful jaws.
Besides mouth, they have gill slides and nostrils on the bottom side of their body.
They swim by moving flippers up and down. These movements are similar with movements of the wings in birds and it is sometimes said that stingrays "fly" through the water.
They are usually solitary, but they sometimes swim in the groups. Group of stingrays is called "school".
Most of their time, they will be hidden on the ocean floor. Shape and color of their body allow them to slip under the sand and become invisible for enemies.
Stingrays give birth to 2-6 young stingrays each year.
Baby stingrays are born fully developed; they look like miniature versions of adult animals. Babies take care of themselves from the moment of birth.
They live 15-25 years in the wild.

The bucket list

The other day I watched the movie the bucket list.  It caused me to think about my life a bit.   Here is what I have found on the web as a bucket list.  I will also point out the ones I have done.  I will go one step further and point out how coming to Dolphin Cove in Jamaica can help you clear a few things off this list.

•   ride: in a hot air balloon 
•   see: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) 
•   see: Grand Canyon, Arizona 
•   swim: with dolphins   (um we are here I have done this.)
•   go: on safari  (we have the jungle trail its close enough)
•   see: Great Barrier Reef 
•   go: on a helicopter ride 
•   Travel to the seven continents 
•   Sleep under the stars   (many times as a child and a few times as an adult.  Jamaica is great for this)
•   Make a difference in someone's life  (we do this every day but bring them to Jamaica and its done for ever)
•   Shower in a waterfall.   (again very easy and fun to do in Jamaica.  Dunns river is across the street)
•   do: scuba diving   (we have sea trek here so you can interact with the dolphins at the same time)
•   do: sky diving    (was fun but would never do again)
•   see: Great Wall of China 
•   Travel: Italy 
•   Get married 
•   ride: on an elephant  (was at the zoo though)
•   Travel: Australia 
•   Raise a happy and healthy child ( she is only two though so I have a long way to go)
•   go: whale-watching   (have done this in jamaica many times)
•   see: Seven New Wonders of the World 
•   see: New Years Eve at Times Square (New York) 
•   learn: a foreign language (or 2 or more!)  (patois does count)
•   see: Broadway play (New York)   (saw cats)
•   do: white water rafting   (done this in Jamaica too)
•   see: Amazon Rainforest  
•   donate: blood 
•   go: on a road trip. 
•   do: canoeing or kayaking   (dolphin cove offers this as well.)
•   Travel: France 
•   Find the love of my life 
•   go: camping 
•   see: Stonehenge 
•   see: Mona Lisa at the Louvre 
•   visit: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
•   create: a loving and happy home 
•   ride: a camel  (can do this at dolphin cove Negril)
•   Travel: Greece 
•   visit: Machu Picchu, Peru. 
•   do: a bungee jump 
•   Experience weightlessness 
•   see: Iceberg 
•   see: Yellowstone National Park 
•   Sleep in a castle 
•   see: Olympic Games (summer) 
•   Maintain my ideal weight 
•   see: Mardi Gras, New Orleans 
•   see: Great Sphinx of Giza 
•   see: Sistine Chapel 
•   see: Louvre Museum (Grand Louvre) 

How to avoid stress in the office

Here is a personal tale that I will tell you.  I used to work at a different company that I will NOT name. This job was fine but I found myself not smiling.   I don't know about you but I enjoy to smile.  There were a few reasons I stopped smiling at my old job and it made for a very long day.   Now I am working with Dolphin Cove Jamaica and I can't help but smile.  I smile all the time.  My commute is a very long one and I still am smiling when I get home.  Why?  Its simple.  I have a new formula.  If I am frustrated or if I need a break I take one.  I go outside of my very comfortable office and look at the Dolphins, Sharks, Stingrays or even birds at Dolphin Cove.   I just enjoy what is near me.   I have to tell you I am very lucky.   I know your Jealous but hey.  Come to Jamaica and look me up at Dolphin Cove.  I am the one that is smiling.  

Dolphins, Getting personal

Ok people,  A bit of a confession.  I was not born a yard.  I moved here many moons ago from a land far far away,  a land of snow and cold.  A land where you could not walk around in slippers all day.  A land where your best friend was either your significant other or a heating blanket.  A land where you wanted to have the dog on the bed as it helped keep you warm.  When I first moved here I was like nearly everyone else.  I was in awe of what I saw.  I loved the nature and loved the whole concept of island life.   Soon it started to wear on me though.  I wanted more.  I was tired of just seeing the mongoose running around.   I was tired of just hearing the parrots in the trees or the tree frogs making their noises.  I wanted more.   Then I learned to sail.  I started to have fun,  it opened a new world for me.   I learned to appreciate nature more. Then I saw it.  A sea turtle in the water.  What a site.  I learned to slow down and appreciate things more.  The turtle did that for me.   Another day we were greeted by dolphins,  seeing a dolphin at sea is a great experience.  It was like their energy feed me.   I learned to look for them.  Alas sightings at sea in Jamaica although fairly common are not a daily thing. However I am blessed.  I get to work with Dolphin Cove Jamaica and I see them every day.   Why not join me sometime.

DR, Dr, Dr, I need a Nurse!!!

Are you aware that we have nurse sharks in Jamaica?   We do, but never fear they keep to themselves most of the time.  They prefer to be in their own little world and keep to themselves.  They are not man eaters they prefer to eat crustaceans as well as molusks.   Though they do have teeth they are not prone to biting.

At Dolphin Cove Jamaica LTD we too have nurse sharks.  They are at our Ocho Rios location and are considered by many one of our most exciting attractions.   Each day you will see our well trained handlers put on a bit of a show and you can have the chance to feed and interact with them.   For the adventurous spirit you will have a tremendous opportunity well worth the trip to Jamaica just to see.   Why not come and give one a cuddle?   For those of you looking to learn a bit more please check out this page.  http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/n/Nurse_sharks.htm  For those of you interested in seeing one for yourself please check us out www.dolphincoveja.com