Whale 'dances' to mariachi band

MYSTIC, Conn. (WTNH) - It's not something you see every day -- a beluga whale at Mystic Aquarium appears to be dancing along to a mariachi band in a YouTube video.

The video came from a recent wedding held at the aquarium. Juno appears to be bobbing his head up and down to the music, but it's not really quite accurate to say he was dancing.

"Well, he seemed to enjoy listening or sticking down there and watching them but he wasn't dancing," said Lindsey Nelson, Mystic Aquarium.

Nelson says Juno is more likely using learned behaviors, mimmicking the musicians, specifically the guitar player.

"We've trained him with what's called a head nod. So we just move our arms and he follows that," she explained.

At 9 years old, Juno's a juvenile and very curious.

"He can certainly hear that music and those tones that were playing and if he sees something interesting he certainly will sit down at the windows and stare for an extended period of time," Nelson said.

Nelson says people shouldn't try to attract the whales on purpose.

"Touching the glass does, it's a lot louder underwater for them, so it's kind of distracting for them," she explained.