This Seal’s Rubber Duckie Playtime Will Melt Your Heart

A 33-year-old Atlantic harbor seal named Reggae has captured the hearts of thousands after a video of his playtime went viral. The footage shows the charming resident of the New England Aquarium in Boston sharing hugs and kisses with a bright yellow rubber duck.

While onlookers find the display adorable, the activity serves a vital role in keeping the seals mentally sharp. The aquarium uses these toys as part of a structured enrichment program designed to challenge the animals’ cognitive abilities.

Rebekah Miller, the aquarium’s manager for seals and sea lions, explained that these objects encourage important problem-solving skills.

By placing unusual items in the habitat, staff ensure the five resident seals remain engaged and curious.

“It’s a great way to challenge our animals…and really allow them to use those problem-solving skills that they have.”

Reggae is specifically trained to participate in a behavior called “find it,” where he must locate the duck within his rocky exhibit. This exercise helps him learn to discriminate between different objects while adding variety to his daily routine.

Quick Smiles:

• The viral video of Reggae has earned over 80,000 likes from fans across social media.
• Enrichment activities like this help replicate the complexity of the natural world for animals born in captivity.
• The New England Aquarium habitat is meticulously designed to resemble the rocky coast to support natural curiosity.

Seeing Reggae thrive with his favorite floating toy is a wonderful reminder of the joy found in enrichment and play. Share this heartwarming story to brighten someone’s day with a little bit of seal magic.

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