Ursula makes this soothing sound when feeling zen and calm. She has been heard "clicking" when resting on land and when nursing her pup, Flaherty. Listen carefully...
—Lindsay
5/3/13
Fitness Friday Goes Mental
Usually when you hear the word "fitness," being physically fit is what comes to mind. Not only is it important for our marine mammals to stay in shape physically, but here at New England Aquarium, it's our job to make sure our furry friends stay in shape mentally as well. How do we do that? One way is through training new behaviors. Our training sessions often give our animals a mental workout by providing them with puzzles to solve.
A great example of a behavior that does this is something we call "innovative" training. Here's how it works. The trainer gives the animal a hand signal that basically means: do whatever you want to do this time. There's only one rule to this fun exercise. In order to get a reward, the animal needs to think of something different to do each time. This is one of my favorite types of training sessions because it shows just how creative these marine mammals can be!
Don't miss this video of Amelia, an Atlantic harbor seal, getting a mental workout!
Our harbor seals aren't the only ones that can be creative. Click the video below to see Isaac, a Northern Fur Seal, stretch his imagination!
A great example of a behavior that does this is something we call "innovative" training. Here's how it works. The trainer gives the animal a hand signal that basically means: do whatever you want to do this time. There's only one rule to this fun exercise. In order to get a reward, the animal needs to think of something different to do each time. This is one of my favorite types of training sessions because it shows just how creative these marine mammals can be!
Don't miss this video of Amelia, an Atlantic harbor seal, getting a mental workout!
Our harbor seals aren't the only ones that can be creative. Click the video below to see Isaac, a Northern Fur Seal, stretch his imagination!
4/12/13
Fitness Friday: Marathon High Fives!
The Boston Marathon is right around the corner, and the Aquarium's marathon team is gearing up for race day. Besides five months of training runs, there's another key skill needed to survive the 26.2 mile chute to Copley Square—high fives! Thousands of spectators turn out on the race course and that's a lot of hands to slap.
Fortunately Reggae the harbor seal is happy to help sisters Jocelyn and Justine Lescarbeau train for this. Watch Reggae as he leaps out of the water to give each sister a high five. (You might remember this sporty seal from his speed swim a while back...)
Reggae's high five is just one of the skills that he's learned while working with the trainers. These exercises help him stay fit physically and mentally.
Don't miss last year's marathon post with video of how harbor seals and fur seals get around. Hooray, runners!
Fortunately Reggae the harbor seal is happy to help sisters Jocelyn and Justine Lescarbeau train for this. Watch Reggae as he leaps out of the water to give each sister a high five. (You might remember this sporty seal from his speed swim a while back...)
Reggae's high five is just one of the skills that he's learned while working with the trainers. These exercises help him stay fit physically and mentally.
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| The Aquarium's harbor seals are quite athletic, watch this guy spring out of the water! |
Don't miss last year's marathon post with video of how harbor seals and fur seals get around. Hooray, runners!
3/27/13
Splashing into Spring
Here at the New England Aquarium the Atlantic harbor seals are ready for Spring! Reggae can barely contain his excitment for the coming warm weather. It's been a long and snowy winter! Check out Reggae's flashy speed swim. Look closely at the beginning and you can see him practically launch himself out of the water he's so excited.
In the wild, swimming fast is important to avoid predators and to move around quickly. He certainly can swim fast! Reggae also shows how quickly harbor seals can turn and maneuver in the water.
Check out some other speed swimming seals, and speaking of launching out of the water!
Happy Spring!
In the wild, swimming fast is important to avoid predators and to move around quickly. He certainly can swim fast! Reggae also shows how quickly harbor seals can turn and maneuver in the water.
Check out some other speed swimming seals, and speaking of launching out of the water!
Happy Spring!
3/15/13
Fitness Friday: Making the Leap
At the Aquarium's New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center, Sierra the California sea lion has been practicing her porpoising skills, and she's getting pretty good.
Check out her moves in the video below.
See Sierra loll about in a spray of water, play in the snow (remember that stuff?) and play with a garden hose.
Check out her moves in the video below.
See Sierra loll about in a spray of water, play in the snow (remember that stuff?) and play with a garden hose.
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