New Coral Reefs Exhibit
SSC Aquarist Rob Royer introduces the new Coral Reefs exhibit and talks about some of the warm water corals, fish, and anemones that reside in the tank.
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Weanling Season in Full Swing!
Weanling season is here! The last few days have kept our team very busy, with 4 live weanling harbor seals. These are seals that were just born a few weeks ago and are newly weaned from mom and trying to figure out life on their own. With both rehabilitation facilities at capacity at
Read MoreWeanling Harbor Seals Need a Break
This afternoon we received a report from a lifeguard at Salisbury Beach of a small live seal. This female weanling harbor seal had hauled out to take a rest; it was clear she was very tired. Life for these newly weaned pups can be very tough at times. At about a month and a half
Read MoreRed Lionfish
The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous coral reef fish that makes its way all the way up to the Gulf of Maine during the warmer summer months. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, lionfish were accidentally introduced into the Western Atlantic. Because they have no known predators, they have become an invasive species.
Read MoreWeanlings Rest Stop
These two seals kept us busy today! Both of our rehabilitation facilities, National Marine Life Center and Mystic Aquarium, are full. So we monitor the animals and relocate them if necessary.
The first animal is a harbor seal pup, likely newly weaned from Mom. She is alert and responsive, but thin and dehydrated. She is
Bass Beach Harbor Seal Pup
Yesterday afternoon we responded to this harbor seal pup at the southern end of Bass Beach. Those that reported him to the hotline shared with us that it was small, active, plump, and vocal. This tells us that it was a pup still dependent on its mom. Luckily, a person who reported the seal captured
Read MoreAtlantic White Sided Dolphin on Rye Beach
When our team responds to a deceased marine mammal on the shore, we mark it with a paint stick to indicate that we have accessed the carcass, taken photographs, and collected necessary data. However, the surf often removes the markings, making it necessary for us to remark the animal. Thank you to everyone that has called
Read MoreSalisbury Beach Gray Seal Relocation
During the past two days, our team has been monitoring a yearling male gray seal on Salisbury Beach. As you can see from the photo, he is suffering from a serious case of alopecia/hair loss. This has been found in gray seals to be caused by a fungal infection and sometimes in conjunction with a
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