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Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- April 2021

Apr 25, 2021 parasite of the month

This type of parasite is common in pinnipeds and there are two different species commonly seen in the seals here at NMLC. Their life cycle remains a small mystery to researchers as there’s not much information regarding it, but patterns reveal that fish are the perfect intermediate hosts for these parasites. The adult form can […]

Remembering Owls Head

Apr 10, 2021 Fahr's Disease

Historically harbor seal pup season has always been the busiest, most demanding season for the NMLC animal care team both physically and emotionally. It requires our team to be here round the clock, to serve as surrogates as these abandoned pups must now learn all of their critical survival skills from us without becoming habituated, and due to the fragility of these animals, the team has to be ready for anything- including death.

Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- March 2021 Answer

Apr 1, 2021 marine mammal parasite of the month

The parasite is known as the Bolbosoma species, a member of the Acanthocephala phylum. Due to its appearance, its common name is “thorny-headed worm”. A Bolbosoma infection can be diagnosed through visible larvae in the fecal matter. An animal with abdominal discomfort can also be in indicator of intestinal worms. Unfortunately, no effective treatment has […]

Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- March 2021

Mar 18, 2021 parasite of the month

This parasite is most commonly reported in cetaceans, but some cases has been seen in pinnipeds, fish and rarely humans. It is distinguishable thanks to their longitudinal rows of overlapping hooks on their proboscis, the hollow retractable extremity used to latch onto its host. This parasite can be as small as 1millimeter long or grow […]

Patient Update: January 21, 2021

Jan 21, 2021 Amphitrite

Since our most recent blog post in November, a lot has been going on here at NMLC! We’ve been kept busy by a record-breaking sea turtle stranding season here on Cape Cod. Here’s a quick rundown of some details from this sea turtle season: A total of 1174 sea turtles were reported by the Mass […]

Parasite of the Month- Answer December 2020

Dec 17, 2020 parasite of the month

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

Dec 10, 2020 parasite of the month

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

Dec 4, 2020 conservation

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

Nov 27, 2020 heartworm

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

Nov 26, 2020 cold stunned

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, […]