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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, […]

Parasite of the Month- Answer November 2020

Nov 25, 2020 parasite of the month

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

Nov 15, 2020 parasite of the month

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

Oct 28, 2020 parasite of the month

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

Oct 22, 2020 parasite of the month

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

Oct 16, 2020 derby

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 […]

Patient Update: October 2nd, 2020

Oct 2, 2020 bug

It’s finally fall and we are excited to start up our weekly Patient Update blog again here at National Marine Life Center! We had a very busy end to our summer and are now working to prepare for the upcoming turtle cold-stunning season, which could start as early as late-October. Since our last post […]