There are lots of activities we associate with Fall—apple picking, traversing corn mazes, picking out the perfect pumpkin, eating apple cider donuts, spending hours perfecting your jelly costume. The list goes on and on. 

Now for our California sea lions, Zoe and Sierra, they found their own fall festivities to enjoy. Instead of bobbing for apples, they bob for pumpkins.



Did you notice how Zoe and Sierra use their noses, whiskers and mouths to play with a pumpkin!

Happy Halloween!

-Marie

Halloween greetings from the sea lions!

The leaves are changing color.  The air is crisp.  It’s definitely fall in New England!


A refreshing breeze blew a couple leaves into the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center with our Northern fur seals and California sea lions. Zoe, a California sea lion, immediately found the perfect new toy. Check out Zoe playing with a leave she found in her exhibit!



Happy Fall everyone!

-Marie

Learn more about Zoe and her favorite playmate, Sierra:

• Check out her acrobatics, see how high she can jump out of the water.
• Watch video of Zoe and Sierra playing in a sprinkler
• Remember snow? The sea lions and young fur seals think it's so much fun! 
• And remember when it was so hot you could do nothing but play in the water?
• A good ol' fashioned game of keepaway is always a blast
• After so much play, these girls need a nap! See pictures of this sleepy sea lion pair

Kitovi the Northern fur seal isn't even two months old yet, and she's already on the move! After her bashful public debut, some lucky visitors to the Aquarium's open-air exhibit can now see this energetic pup splashing about the public side of the marine mammal center. She spends time swimming, grooming and exploring the main exhibit with all the other seals.



When you see her next to adults (like her mum Ursula below), you can tell Kit still has a lot of growing to do. So she spends a lot of time behind the scenes with her Ursula, feeding and playing and learning how to be a fur seal. You might also catch her nursing (more on that later).


But for the lucky folks that get to Kitovi in the main exhibit, it's a real treat to see her on move. Here's a look at Kitovi in the pool, on the rocks and on the deck. You can bet Ursula is never far—what a good mom!



Kit was born in August and she's definitely made her mark in the media. Check out some of the deliciously cute pictures of her growing up!

• Newborn Kit was just about the cutest thing to hit eyeballs near and far
• Video of Kit's bashful debut showed how she tested the water
• Kit's first foray in the public exhibit drew plenty of oohs and awwws
• Kit's frisky big brother Flaherty is just a year older

The first animals visitors see during a trip to the Aquarium is usually the harbor seals. Their outdoor exhibit on the front plaza lets you get within inches of these plump pinnipeds to watch them bask on flat rocks, bob or glide through the water. It's such a thrill watching people—young and old—light up when they see the seals' faces, especially when the seals interact through the glass.

A recent visitor shared this image of his daughter going nose-to-nose with Chacoda. Will you look at the delight on her face?! Thank you for sharing your picture, Bill Woods.

A young visitor interacts with Chacoda | Photo: Bill Woods

Chacoda is from our family of spotted seals. He's known for his painting masterpieces, clean teeth and his sporting prowess. But what really gets people's attention is his voice. Listen to him cheer for the Patriots. In fact, you can even download a Chacoda ringtone—no joke!

Come by the Aquarium this weekend and see if the seals want to interact through the glass. Want to get even closer to a seal? Like, in the water with a seal? Consider our Take a Dip with a Seal programs with the fur and harbor seals! Before the weather turns cold for good, don waders for one of these incredible interactive experiences. Get a front-row seat as a trainer teaches new skills, feel the seal's belly fur, maybe even get a kiss.

Sometimes you just need a good nap.



Zoe and Sierra, two California sea lions at the New England Aquarium are doing just that.  When the sea lions are tuckered out from their shenanigans, you can sometimes see them cuddled up taking a snooze.  This is exactly how we found them yesterday afternoon right after lunch!



Sweet dreams!





-Marie

Come visit the seals and sea lions in the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center! 
Buy tickets online and print them out before you come.