From their daily training and exercise sessions, the Northern fur seals at the Aquarium have picked up some unusual skills. Take scooching, for example. Ursula is getting pretty good at this skill. She keeps her face and shoulders close to the ground while her hind flippers and hips are high in the air, pushing her right along. It's pretty funny to watch as Belinda walks her through the exercise!
With the New Year quickly approaching, many folks add exercise among their resolutions. Let the fur seals be your inspiration! What are some creative ways that people can zip about to stay active? Have you ever tried to crab walk? What about skipping? Let us know!
Ursula, a Northern fur seal, is always up to something. Here she is stretching on a Fitness Friday, a great start to any New Year's resolution.
Ursula stretching with her trainer on Fitness Friday. (Photo: Ann Cortissoz)
Her latest skill may not be so elegant, or polite. But we're all family here! Here she is helping herself to some squid, lots of squid. (With a little help from her trainer, Belinda, of course!)
Ursula often visits us behind the scenes here in the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center. We first saw her sneaking snacks from the fridge while preparing food for the rest of the seals one day. (Find out what else our seals eat here.) We wondered whether it was a fluke, but sure enough, she continues to help herself whenever she's given an opportunity. If her New Year's resolution was to lay off the snacks, it looks like she's not doing so well with that goal!
Fortunately, we have an active bunch. All five of our fur seals get plenty of exercise cruising around their pool, or learning new skills during training sessions. Come by sometime and see for yourself! And in the meantime, good luck with those New Year's resolutions.
