Animals
Meet the Diamondback Terrapin: Massachusetts’ Salt Marsh Turtle
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is the only turtle in Massachusetts that is predominantly found in salt marshes and estuaries. In Massachusetts, the northern diamond-backed terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) is…
Read MoreMeet the Northern Red-Bellied Cooter: An Endangered Turtle Getting a Head Start
(Pseudemys rubriventris) is the largest basking turtle in Massachusetts. The only larger freshwater turtle is the common snapping turtle. An adult Northern Red-bellied Cooter shell length ranges from 10-13 inches,…
Read MoreMeet Daisy and Victor: NMLC’s Box Turtle Ambassadors
Daisy and Victor are permanent residents at NMLC after previously being kept illegally as part of the wildlife trade. Because they were housed with turtle species from around the world—and…
Read MoreAmazing Seal Adaptations
I am one of the interns working at the NMLC this summer, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity of assisting in the rehabilitation of fascinating marine and aquatic…
Read MoreU.S. Geological Survey Manatee Captures and Health Assessments
Back in December, NMLC Animal Care Staff was privileged to have to opportunity to assist the U.S. Geological Survey with their winter manatee captures and health assessments in Crystal River,…
Read MoreSaving Salty
On June 15th we admitted one of our most critical patients in NMLC history – Salted Caramel, otherwise known as “Salty.” Salty was initially rescued by our colleagues at the…
Read MoreRemembering Owls Head
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.
Read MorePatient Update: January 21, 2021
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…
Read MoreKemp’s Ridley: Biology, Natural History, and Conservation in Cape Cod
Green Turtle Biology, Natural History and Conservation
Osteomyelitis in Sea Turtles
Thriving in the wild… You can help advance science!
Otitis media. You may know it as an ear infection from which your child suffered. Did you know that seals get ear infections too? This was the case with Jones…
Read MoreCold-stunned and entangled…. you can help #73!
It was a brisk, sunny November day when Number 73 stranded on Cape Cod, barely moving and near death. The young Kemp’s ridley turtle was suffering from cold-stunning – a…
Read MoreSeals are Affected by Climate Change
It is proven that the Earth’s overall temperature is increasing. This is causing a rapid decrease in the amount of both land and sea ice throughout the globe. Many seals,…
Read MoreRed Bellied Cooters and NMLC
At The National Marine Life Center, we get to take part in a program during the Winter months called the Head Start Program! During this program, we receive a set…
Read MoreMarine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program
“Why do marine mammals strand?” Marine mammal strandings may occur due to disease, parasite infestation, harmful algal blooms, injuries from ship strikes, fishery entanglements, pollution exposure, trauma, starvation, or other…
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