The Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage

I can’t remember how long it had been since the wife and I first visited the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. I’m thinking it was around 20 years ago, which is possible since Siegfried & Roy first started performing there in 1990.

The Dolphin Habitat is actually a preliminary attraction and a prelude to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden, home of tigers, panthers, leopards and lions, not to mention the white tigers and white lions for which they are famous.

 

The habitat is home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, most of which were born in the facility, in one of three pools – the Birth and Research Pool, the Center Pool, and the Main Pool. Guess which one the newcomers were born in. Yep, you got that right.

 

Somehow, what I really remember from my two visits spaced 20 years apart, is that both times it was hot. Really hot. Why do I do this to myself? I should have waited until my winter visit to check it out again. I’m a sucker for doing that … remember when I took that jetboat ride down to Lake Havasu City in the middle of August when the temperature in Las Vegas and Lake Havasu City was around 115˚?

 

Be that as it may, I did enjoy wandering around and watching the trainers at work, all the while trying to keep the water from splashing onto my camera (they warn you about that).

 

It’s also eye-popping to check out the underwater viewing tunnel. The dolphins swim right up to the window and awe the kids standing there, as well as the parents carrying them. And yes, I was awed too. Couldn’t help it, the dolphins eye you and smile at you as though they know exactly what you’re thinking.

I’d go back, but I guarantee you it won’t be in the summer again.

Tomorrow: Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden