US man builds ‘submarine’ for pet parakeet, internet divided over viral video

Steven Lawyer said he came up with the idea when he and his partner planned an extended vacation and didn’t want to leave behind their six-year-old bird, Bebe.

After arranging the required paperwork to travel with the bird, he designed a custom device—dubbed the “Bebosphere”—to let the parakeet experience the ocean.

“We like to snorkel and he likes doing whatever we are doing,” Lawyer told a CBS-affiliate. “So I thought, let’s figure out a way to let him snorkel with us.”

The transparent, tube-like vessel allowed Bebe to be submerged up to three feet underwater, offering a view of tropical fish and coral reefs.

Lawyer insisted the bird was comfortable throughout the experience. “I know my bird. I know what he looks like when he’s nervous.

He’s intrigued in that video,” he said, adding that Bebe voluntarily entered the device.

Viral buzz and mixed reactions

The video has racked up over 4 million views online, sparking both admiration and concern.

While some users praised the innovation—calling it “brilliant” and “considerate”—others questioned whether the experiment was safe or stressful for the bird.

Responding to skepticism, Lawyer clarified in a follow-up video that the footage was genuine and not AI-generated, adding that Bebe enjoys “adventurous activities.”

The clip has since fueled a broader debate on pet safety and how far owners should go in including animals in human experiences.