Category: Featured
Parasite of the Month- Answer December 2020
This parasite is Zalophotrema hepaticum, a species of trematode or fluke. Pinnipeds obtain this parasite through the ingestion of infected fish. Although this species is usually confined to the liver, recent studies have found evidence of this trematode migrating to the brain of sea lions, laying eggs, and causing fatal brain damage. Posted by Meaghan […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- December 2020
This is a parasite we often find in pinnipeds. Although the most common host is the California sea lion, they are also found in Stellar’s sea lions, northern elephant seals, and Pacific harbor seals. This parasite is usually found in the liver or the adjacent bile duct. It can reach up to 21mm in length […]
The Natural History, Biology, and Conservation of Loggerhead Sea Turtles
The Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world (National Geographic). It is found in warm temperate and subtropical waters throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]). Although it’s the most populous sea turtle in the western and eastern […]
Heartworm in Phocids
Phocids, also known as earless seals or true seals, are common coastal marine mammals. Since 1972, seals have been protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are cared for frequently in rehabilitation settings. Beyond human interference, seals encounter a variety of diseases and infections while in the wild. Parasitic infections are regularly found in […]
Patient Update: November 26th, 2020
A lot has happened here at NMLC since our last update in October. Montauk, a harbor seal who was recently released after restranding due to human interaction, has returned to our hospital for a third time. After being released on Scusset Beach on October 15, 2020 with Marblehead and Derby, two other rehabilitated harbor seals, […]
Parasite of the Month- Answer November 2020
These ova belong to the genus Diphyllobothridea or the tapeworm. Tapeworms have a specialized scolex with suckers used to attach to the intestines of their host and are transferred to pinnipeds who eat infected fish. Using the fecal ova to identify parasites is important to seal rehabilitation at NMLC. Posted by Meaghan K. […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- November 2020
Here at NMLC, parasites are diagnosed by examining the seal’s feces. We use a fecal float test and a statspin to isolate the parasite ova and identify the species. These ova belong to a parasite that is found in the intestines of pinnipeds. While the ova are only 50-80 µm by 30-50 µm, the adult […]
Parasite of the Month- Answer October 2020
This parasite is Cyamus scammoni, a species of whale lice. Whale lice have hooked appendages used to latch onto the outside of whales where they scavenge for food on the whale’s body, including eating whale skin. Pictured below are Cyamus scammoni and their unique coiled gills! Posted by Meaghan K. Meaghan is a fall intern […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- October 2020
This parasite is actually a crustacean and is only found on gray whales. They can grow up to 27mm in length and occur in large colonies. Juveniles of this species are not free-swimming and actually develop in a maternal pouch similar to marsupials. What is this parasite and how does it affect whales? […]
Patient Update: October 16th, 2020
Yesterday, October 15th, we released our last 3 harbor seals, marking the end of harbor seal season here at NMLC! Derby, Marblehead, and Montauk were released together at Scusset Beach after completing their rehabilitation. Derby was rescued on June 30th with multiple bite marks on his head and wounds all along his body down to […]
National Marine Life Center
🍦New Patient Alert 🍦 Meet Mud Pie! Mud Pie is a female grey seal weanling who was rescued by our friends Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket
National Marine Life Center
Happy #VolunteerAppreciationWeek!! This week is meant to celebrate the selfless individuals who generously give their time and energy to something greater than themselves. NMLC is
National Marine Life Center
Happy #sealSaturday from Neapolitan! Neapolitan is making strides in his rehabilitation, eating fish on his own and has full water access- though he especially enjoys