Great day yesterday at #SharktoothHill #bonebed with colleagues!! The abundance of marine vertebrate fossils never ceases to amaze me!! Still so much to describe and document! #California #MiddleMiocene #MarineMammalMonday #MarineMammals #Paleontology
🌊🐬 #MarineMammalMonday 🐬🌊 Today we are showcasing #Dall’sPorpoise 🔍 Scientific Name: Phocoenoides dalli ⏳ Life Span: Up to 20 years 🐋 Sub Species: N/A 📉 Population Status: MMPA Protected #Dall’sPorpoises are sleek and swift, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and playful nature. These marine marvels can reach speeds of up to 55 km/h (34 mph) – making them one of the fastest cetaceans in the ocean! Found in the #NorthPacificOcean, from Japan to California, these porpoises prefer cooler waters and are often spotted near continental shelves and slopes. Their diet consists mainly of small fish and squid, and they're known to be quite agile hunters. Despite their incredible speed and adaptability, Dall's Porpoises face threats like accidental #entanglement in fishing gear and #habitatdegradation due to human activities. Photo Credit: NOAA
Haven’t made a non bird post in a while so here’s a pile of Steller’s Sea Lions on a rock just off South Marble Island in Glacier Bay, AK taken with @uncruise a couple of years ago. Shot into the sun on a sunny afternoon. r5/100-500 Alaska, May 2022. #stellerssealion #sealion #marinemammalmonday #marinemammals #pinniped #johnmuir #glacierbay #glacierbaynationalpark #nationalparks #alaska #alaskawildlife #alaskalife #juneau #juneaualaska #fjord #glacier #southeastalaska #uncruise #uncruiseadventures #wildernessdiscoverer
Did you know manatees have no natural predators and spend most of their time eating, resting, and traveling? They're like the zen masters of the sea. 🌊🍽️🧘♂️ * * * #ManateeMagic #GentleGiants #SaveTheManatees #ManateeLove #SeaCowSightings #FloridaWildlife #Manatees #ProtectTheManatees #UnderwaterAnimals #MarineMammalMonday #OceanHerbivores #UnderwaterPhotography #ManateesOfInstagram #EndangeredSpecies #NatureLovers #WaterActivities #WildlifeProtection #FloridaDestinations #OceanGentleSouls #SnorkelingWithManatees #UnderwaterAdventure #NikonAustralia #MarineBiology #UnderwaterWorld #NatureConservation #FloridaManatees #WildlifeWednesday #FloridaSnorkeling #Florida #CreatureFeature
Sea lions use their hind flippers to steer and propel themselves forward using their powerful front flippers 💪 They swim around 11 mph but can reach speeds of 30 mph in short bursts 💨 Sea lions have 34 to 38 teeth, uniquely designed for grasping and tearing their food, which they swallow whole! Common prey items include anchovies, herring, salmon, rockfish, mackerel, sardines, hake, squid and octopus 🐙🐟 **DISCLAIMER** this animal above was specifically trained for education purposes, please do not touch or approach wild sea lions, it is illegal to harass them and any other marine mammals!! #sealions #angelsofthesea #wildlifeeducation #sealionlove #sealion #pinniped #pinnipeds #marinebiology #adaptations #marinemammals #marinemammal #marinemammalmonday
Great news for gray whales! 🐋 For the first time in 200 years, a gray #whale was spotted swimming near Nantucket by @NewEnglandAquarium scientists! @NBCNews spoke with @wildcorwin about the wonders of these whales and why they're there. Watch now at the link in our bio! #MarineMammalMonday #WhaleConservation #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateChange 📸: @NewEnglandAquarium
🌿💦 Gentle Giants Alert! In December I was lucky enough to glide into the serene waters of Florida where manatees, the beloved sea cows, roam freely. On average, adult manatees measure about 9 to 10 feet in length and can weigh between 800 to 1,200 pounds. They were much bigger than me and we were surrounded by at least 20 of them! These peaceful creatures remind us of nature's gentle grace, floating through life with ease. * * * #ManateeMagic #GentleGiants #SaveTheManatees #ManateeLove #SeaCowSightings #FloridaWildlife #Manatees #ProtectTheManatees #UnderwaterAnimals #MarineMammalMonday #OceanHerbivores #UnderwaterPhotography #ManateesOfInstagram #EndangeredSpecies #NatureLovers #WaterActivities #WildlifeProtection #FloridaDestinations #OceanGentleSouls #SnorkelingWithManatees #UnderwaterAdventure #NikonAustralia #MarineBiology #UnderwaterWorld #NatureConservation #FloridaManatees #WildlifeWednesday #FloridaSnorkeling #Florida #CreatureFeature
Flipping the script on marine research!🐬💦Momma and baby dolphin trading in the fish for the fieldwork. Who knew wetsuits and waterproof tablets could look so chic underwater?! 🌊🔬Your opinion matters, jump in with your thoughts on this aquatic adventure! #DolphinDuo #DeepSeaDive #MarineBiologists #MotherAndCalf #WetSuitFashion #UnderwaterExploration #OceanConservation #CoralCollectors #EcoWarriors #AquaticAces #SeaLifeStudy #CetaceanScientists #MarineMammalMonday #FinTasticWork #SeasTheDay #scribonetics #dalle #chatgpt #aiart #aiartist #midjourney #aigenerated #aiartwork #ai
#MarineMammalMonday Fast Facts ✔ -Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris lutris - Life Span : 10-20 Years - Sub Species: Several - Population Status: Stable Today we are showcasing the #NorthernSeaOtter. Northern Sea Otters inhabit coastal waters of the northern Pacific Ocean, ranging from northern Japan across the Aleutian Islands, and along the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, and down to California. Northern sea otters are the largest of all otter species. They can weigh between 30 to 100 pounds and can grow up to 4 feet in length. They have thick fur that helps them stay warm in cold waters. Sea otters play a crucial role in maintaining the health of their ecosystems. By consuming sea urchins, they help control the populations of these grazers, which in turn helps protect kelp forests and other #marinehabitats. While their populations have recovered in some areas, northern sea otters still face #threats such as #oilspills, #habitatdegradation, #entanglement in fishing gear, and conflicts with humans over shellfish resources. Climate change and ocean acidification also pose significant challenges to their long-term survival. Photo Credit: Marine Mammal Commission
Ship strikes, fishing gear, plastic pollution, and climate change are killing whales. Entanglement in fishing gear is a leading cause of serious injury and death for many whale species, including humpback whales. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #MarineMammalMonday #Whales
It's #WhaleWeek and #HumpbackWhaleAwarenessMonth, so we have to showcase one of the most iconic species in our sanctuaries! Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is home to one of the world's most important populations of humpback whales, which serve as a sentinel species that reflect changes in the health of ocean ecosystems. Meet this majestic marine mammal for #MarineMammalMonday at the link in bio! 📸: JMoore/@NOAA Permit 15240, Ed Lyman/@NOAA NOAA Permit 14682, Tom Ayers
#MarineMammalMonday Fast Facts ✔ -Scientific Name: Eumetopias jubatus - Life Span : 20-30 Years - Sub Species: Several - Population Status: Endangered / Depleted Today we are showcasing the #StellerSeaLion! Steller Sea Lions are the largest species of sea lions and can weigh up to 2,500 pounds. Adult males may be up to 11 feet long, while adult females are 9.5 feet long. Steller Sea Lions can be found along the coasts of the North Pacific, from Japan to California, as they inhabit colder temperate to subarctic waters. They communicate using impressive low-frequency vocalizations sound more like roars. The Steller sea lion is protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Threats to the Steller sea lion are #climate change including sea level rising and temperature change. In addition, interactions with #fishinggear are also a known threat. Photo Credit: NOAA
Happy #MarineMammalMonday! With January coming to a close, it’s the perfect time to look back on 2023 as a whole for our Stranding Team. In 2023, ECWR’s Marine Mammal Stranding Team had a total of 18 marine marine mammal responses. In our area of the Gulf of Mexico off the western panhandle of Florida, we typically only see cetaceans and sirenians, usually in the forms of dolphins, whales, and manatees. Of the 18 strandings we had, 15 of those were cetaceans and 3 were sirenians. The 3 sirenians were all manatees, but our cetacean species differed. We most commonly see Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, so that comprised of the majority with 9 of the animals; but the rest included one Blaineville’s beaked whale, one pygmy sperm whale, one melon-headed whale, and 3 that were of unknown species (due to state of decomposition, or the fact that we received a report of the animal but were not able to locate it afterwards). Marine strandings are always a collaborative effort amongst multiple organizations and the local community. Thank you so much to anyone who used the hotlines to call in marine strandings this year, for those that aided rescue teams in finding the animals, and those who had great empathy for the creatures we did our best to help. Even if you see a marine mammal that is already deceased, please call us as these animals are invaluable for research that helps with marine conservation efforts! Stranding Hotline: Dial 855-STRAND1 or 1-855-787-2631 #MMST #SWR #SaltwaterRestaurants #ECWR #ECwildliferefuge #emeraldcoastwildliferefuge #SEA #SEAInitiative #MarineMammals #marinemammalrescueteam #marinemammalstrandings #marinemammalstrandingnetwork
Look at this beauty queen 😍 Maple Walnut, our harbor seal weanling from @SSC Marine Mammal Rescue, is looking much better after some much needed rest and treatment. While not completely out of the woods yet, she seems to be handling her deworming treatments very well and has regained her appetite and is eating fish independently. #harborseal #weanling #seal #marinemammal #marinemammalmonday #rescuerehabrelease #icecream #maplewalnut #conservation #seapupper #wildlife #wildliferescue #sealrescue #protectwhatyoulove
#MarineMammalMonday Fast Facts ✔ -Scientific Name: Phocoena phocoena - Life Span : 25 years - Sub Species: Several - Population Status: Protected Today we are showcasing the #HarborPorpoise! Harbor porpoises are found in coastal waters of the #NorthernHemisphere, including the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. They communicate using a variety of vocalizations, including clicks and whistles. These sounds are important for navigation, social interaction, and locating food. When it comes to their diet, porpoises mainly eat schooling fish, like #herring and #mackerel. Occasionally, they will eat squid and octopus. Threats to the Harbor porpoises include #entanglement in fishing gear, primarily gillnets and fishing traps. #Soundpollution and human disturbance are also a significant threat. Photo Credit: NOAA
#MarineMammalMonday Fast Facts ✔ -Scientific Name: (Stenella frontalis) - Life Span : 40-60 years - Sub Species: Several - Population Status: Healthy #AtlatnticDolphins known for their distinctive appearance, as they are covered in spotted markings. They are typically found in warm, tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Highly social beings, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins are often seen in groups, known as pods, ranging from a few individuals to hundreds. They primarily feed on small fish and squid, using their keen echolocation skills to locate prey. The largest threats to Atlantic spotted dolphins include entanglement in fishing gear, noise pollution, and illegal feeding. Photo Credit: NOAA
#MarineMammalMonday Fast Facts ✔ -Scientific Name: (Halichoerus grypus) - Life Span : 25-35 years - Sub Species: Several - Population Status: Healthy #GraySeals are known for their distinctive gray or brown fur, which helps them blend seamlessly with their rocky habitats. They are excellent divers, capable of reaching impressive depths to find food. Adult female gray seals are about 7.5 feet long and weigh about 550 pounds, while adult males can reach 10 feet long and weigh about 880 pounds. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve gray seal populations, ensuring a healthy ocean environment. Photo Credit: NOAA
How do you get a hold of a marine biologist? You call them on their shell phone! 🐚 #MarineMammalMonday #ECWR #ECwildliferefuge #EmeraldCoastWildlifeRefuge
Welcome to #MarineMammalMonday 🐋 We are kicking off our series, with the #BlueWhale Fast Facts ✔ - Scientific Name: (Balaenoptera musculus) - Life Span : 80-90 years - Sub Species: Several - Population Status: Endangered The #BlueWhale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest animal on Earth, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) and weighing as much as 200 tons. Their hearts alone can be as big as a car. These creatures are found in most oceans in the Northern and Southern hemisphere, apart from the Arctic Ocean. The largest threat to blue whales include #vesselstrikes and #gearentanglement. Our Protected Species Observers are trained to look out for whales and other marine mammals offshore. Our team of #PSO's are skilled in vessel strike avoidance methods and data collection. Photo Credit: NOAA
#MarineMammalMonday Since it's the last #MMM before Christmas, we've decided to go to the North Pole for today's marine mammal - the warlus! 🦏 (yeahhhh that's a rhino emoji, the best I could do was not close with this one 😅) There are 2 subspecies of walrus - the Atlantic and the Pacific - which spend their time in different areas of the Arctic. Walruses can live to about 40 years old in the wild and have been recorded to live to about 30 in captivity. Both male & female walruses have tusks that they use to haul themselves out of the water and onto sea ice. They also use their tusks for keeping breathing holes open in the sea ice, fighting with other walruses, & for defense. Male Pacific walruses can reach 3.6m long and weigh over 1,500kg (1.5 tonnes!) while females weigh about 400-1,250 kg & are about 2.5m long. Most importantly, they make very cute stop animation pals for Buddy the Elf. 🧝♀️🎅
Although it isn't the typical "stranding season", we've been a bit busier than normal over the past few weeks so here is a recap for what our Stranding Team has been involved with lately: 🐳 Assisted with a live whale stranding with another organization in our Marine Mammal Stranding Network 🐬 Live dolphin stranding on Pensacola Beach 🐢 Hooked sea turtle on Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier 🐬 Deceased dolphin recovery in Destin We have had 15 marine mammal strandings and 10 sea turtle strandings so far for this year. These numbers are actually quite lower than previous years, so it will be interesting to see what our numbers look like in 2024. #MarineMammalMonday #SWR #SaltwaterRestaurants #SaltwaterRestaurantGroup #SEA #SeaInitiative #marinemammalrescue #marinemammalscience #marinemammalstrandingnetwork #marinemammalstrandingteam
#MarineMammalMonday This is the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis (deilf choiteann as Gaeilge 🇮🇪 ). 🐬 They're called common dolphins because they've been sighted in every ocean and most seas outside of polar regions. They're the most commonly seen species of dolphin around the Irish coast and can be seen here all year round, with a peak in numbers between July & September. Common dolphins are quite small, growing to around 2.5m & 200kg. They have unique colouration, with a recognisable hourglass pattern that's yellow near the head and grey towards the tail.
Feeling like a sleepy sandy sea lion on this #MarineMammalMonday? We are too 😴 🦭 📸 @kaitlinbowe_photography taken 20m+ away with zoom
We're starting a new series on here called #MarineMammalMonday, because what's a better way to beat the Monday blues than with lovely pictures of marine mammals? 🐳🐬🦭 Today's #marinemammal is the grey seal. Grey seals are one of the 2 seal species that can be found here in Ireland. They can be found all around the coast but are most abundant along the west. Grey seal cows (females) can weigh 100-150kg and bulls (males) can weigh up to a whopping 300kg! Right now it's breeding season for the grey seal (Sept-Dec in Irish waters) so much of the population will be hanging around remote & undisturbed areas, often on offshore islands. Pups are born with a fluffy white coat that they shed before taking to the ocean, usually at around 6 weeks. 🐶
It's #MarineMammalMonday and we know we haven't posted one of these in a minute! The end of the year tends to have the least amount of marine mammal strandings, and so it's been a while since we've had a call. Last month we went out to perform a deceased dolphin recovery in the Perdido Bay area. The location was rather tricky to get into, but that didn't stop our team! As you can see here we have our interns - Steve, Briana, and Hannah - that were able to get down into the water to be able to assess the carcass properly. They are shown here taking measurements of the dolphin and setting the animal in various positions for our Stranding Coordinator to take photos of injuries and other physical abnormalities from the dockside for reporting purposes. As we approach the end of the year, we are currently at 12 marine mammal strandings for 2023, which is less than half the number we saw last year. While it may seem like a bizarre thing to do, the data gathered from these deceased marine animals is invaluable, as studying these animals in the wild can be difficult due to our land locked bodies! #emeraldcoastwildliferefuge #ECWR #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferefuge #WildlifeRehab #MarineMammalRescue #Wildlife #nonprofit #conservation #ProtectOurReefs #855STRAND1
#MarineMammalMonday #funnyfishfriday
• On this #MarineMammalMonday, we're celebrating the science of Operant Conditioning and amazing animal training that occurs every day at Marineland and other outstanding zoos and aquariums around the world. Training is a crucial component of our animals' physical and mental welfare and we're grateful every day for the relationship it allows us to have with our animal family. #TheGoodZoosDo
Happy #MarineMammalMonday ! Check out the size of this elephant seal next to one of our local NZ sea lions! Recently we’ve had this very special visitor to the Ōtepoti coastline! This is a young male elephant seal who has come up from the sub Antarctic islands. The southern coastline of Aotearoa sees only a few of these incredible, massive animals a year, usually young animals who are not breeding yet. Southern elephant seals range throughout the Southern Ocean around the Antarctic continent and on most sub-Antarctic islands. The New Zealand population is concentrated on the Antipodes Islands and on Campbell Island. Unfortunately, there has been a long-term, annual decline of 5-11% of elephant seals at most colonies in the southern oceans. The reason for this is unknown, the two major theories being: decline is related to commercial exploitation of prey stocks; and the population is returning to pre-sealing levels after having recovered to abnormally high levels. When seeing these phenomenal wild animals, remember to keep your distance and keep your pups on leads! Admiring them from a distance is key! More info is available here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/elephant-seal/ Photo by Keith Beck - https://www.bexx.nz/animals/sealions-and-seals #marine #marinemammal #mammal #dunedin #ōtepoti #seal #sealion
Dive into the week with @susana.novo.martinez and her turtle friend! 🌊🐢 Explore the underwater wonders of Pompano Beach, aka the unofficial 'Wreck Capital' of Florida, with 18 shipwrecks waiting to be discovered! 🤿 Plan your ultimate underwater adventure at visitpompanobeach.com. #MarineMammalMonday #ScubaDiving #PompanoBeach
Happy #MarineMammalMonday - sea & land dog edition 🦮 There’s a lot of sea lions around these days, as females are looking for places to birth their pups and males are looking for those females! It’s great to see this amazing dogwalker sticking to the wildlife code! Look how cool calm and collected that dog is 🐕 Remember to keep your own land puppies on a leash and at least 20m from the sea puppies and other coastal wildlife 🦭🐧 #pakake #nzsealion #sealion #marine #mammal #nz #beach #coastal
Marine Mammal Monday featuring Diego and Maverick looking majestic as hell @hoglezoo Learn about what fish to avoid buying to help seal and sea lion conservation https://www.seafoodwatch.org/recommendations/search?query=%3Abuy%3BRed #sealions #sealionsofinstagram #sealionshow #californiasealion #conservation #conservationoptimism #savesealions #sealionconservation #speciessurvivalplan #zollizoocrew #marinemammals #marinemammalmonday #marinemammalobserver
Who wants to play a game? Post what you think this close up photo is in the comment section, and then on Thursday 9/21 we will post a full view photo with an explanation! Ready, set, guess! #guessinggame #marinemammalmonday #wanttoplayagame #whatisit #conservation #education
For #MarineMammalMonday, here are the results of our CT scanning last evening at @OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital: four hooded seals, two bearded seals, and a dolphin, all here at the same scale. The dolphin is for doctoral student DJ Morgan’s dissertation research, and the seals are for a project with new Ohio University undergrad Grace Vance. We're more than about just dinosaurs & other archosaurs. Mammals are people, too! 🦭🐬 @ohiohealth @ohio.university @ouhcom @ohiobiosciences @bobcatsdiscover @djmudkip91 @grace.vance13 #seals #phocidae #hoodedseal #cystophoracristata #beardedseal #erignathusbarbatus #dolphin #dolphinskull #tursiopstruncatus #ctscan #3dvisualization
Do you take photos of dolphins from land when you are at the beach or pier? Would you like to utilize those photos and participate in a citizen science initiative? Here at ECWR have new and exciting opportunities for our dolphin enthusiasts! We are collaborating with partner organizations with photo-identification! Photo-identification (PID) is a non-invasive way to study animals in their habitats. This is done by taking photos of the dolphins and using their natural markings (e.g., nicks, cuts, scars, etc.) to help identify specific individuals. What makes a good dorsal fin photo? 1. Having the dorsal fin in focus. 2. Having good resolution and zooming for better identification. 3. Capturing the surrounding habitat or anything significant to note. 4. Taking the photo when the dorsal fin is visible! If you are interested in participating as a citizen scientist, please contact our Stranding Coordinator to receive more information! [email protected] To learn more about PID, please visit: - https://sarasotadolphin.org/gomdis/ - https://www.fau.edu/hboi/discover-fau-harbor-branch/citizen-science/ #MarineMammalMonday #MarineMammals #EmeraldCoastWildlifeRefuge #Florida #EducationConservationRehabilitation #destin #fortwaltonbeach #wildliferehab #Rescue #SWR #DidYouKnow #Conservation #MarineLife #SEA #EmeraldCoast #PensacolaBeach #ECWildlifeRefuge #OkaloosaIsland #MMST #WildlifeRescue #gulfcoast #dolphins #marinemammalrescue #citizenscience It is important to never approach or feed a dolphin in the wild. This can potentially be dangerous and will encourage behavior that can harm the animal in future encounters. It is also illegal to harass or get near wild dolphins without a permit under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Remember to responsibly view dolphins in the wild and only book excursions with Dolphin SMART partners.
Case of the Mondays? Here's a flashback of Acadia and Haleakala as wee pups to get you through the day. #marinemammalMonday #marinemammal #sealsofinstaram #nationalparks #conservation #preservation #harborseal #babyseal #sealpup #newenglandlife #wildliferehab #rescuerehabrelease #flashback @haleakalanps @acadianps @nationalparkservice
#Marinemammalmonday We get pretty lucky to see other animals during our field trips, including pilot whales, false killer whales, and offshore bottlenose dolphins. Check out this blog from the archives. https://www.wilddolphinproject.org/bonus-sightings-false-killer-whale-or-pilot-whale/ Do you know what this marine mammal is? (If you want the answer, head to the blog). #scicomm #science #fieldwork
A group of seals is called a rookery of seals! Also valid answers are a pod or a herd of seals. If you guessed right, you get our seal of approval. Read about fur seals on Bogoslof Island ⬇️ https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/science-blog/fur-seals-bogoslof-island-post-2 #MarineMammalMonday #NorthernFurSeal #Seals #Pinnipeds #Alaska #AK
What’s a group of seals called? Tune in tomorrow for the answer! Northern fur seals are known to breed on only a few isolated islands in the North Pacific Ocean. Find out more about Bogoslof Island and the northern fur seals 🔎 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/science-blog/fur-seals-bogoslof-island-post-1 #MarineMammalMonday #NorthernFurSeal #Seals #Pinnipeds #Alaska #AK
Welcome to #MarineMammalMonday where we are spotlighting our Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)! Did you know adult male walrus can weigh up to 2 tons, and females may exceed 1 ton? Bulls are larger in size, they have heavy tusks, broad muzzles, and bumps on their neck and shoulders called bosses. Their hind flippers help propel them through the water, reaching speeds up to 6 mph. Both males and females have tusks, and they are used to help them haul themselves out of the water onto the sea ice, have breathing holes, fight other walruses, and lastly, for defense against other predators. There are two main subspecies of walrus: the Atlantic walrus and the Pacific walrus. The Atlantic walrus is found in the icy northern waters of Canada, Norway, Greenland, and Russia. The Pacific Walrus is found ranging between Russia and Alaska. They use their sensitive whiskers to search for prey. Walruses have a thick layer of blubber that provides insulation for cold water temperatures. Their prey consists of soft invertebrates such as clams, snails, worms, tunicates, and sea cucumbers. Unfortunately, the loss of sea ice due to climate change has caused these species to become endangered. The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act protects these mammals by making it illegal to hunt or harass these species in U.S. waters. PC: Oceana
It's Marine Mammal Monday, and we're starting off the week with a splash! 💦🎉 These gentle sea creatures remind us to embrace the beauty of nature and find joy in the little things. Let's dive into the week with a positive mindset! 🌟💙 📸 : Amy Bierman Derose (taken in June 2023) 📍 Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier #PompanoBeach #PompanoPier #FisherFamilyPier #VisitLauderdale #LoveFL #MarineMammalMonday #Manatee #MondayMotivation #EmbraceTheWeek
Come along to a public, free talk by Dr Simon Childerhouse about sea lions around our southern coastlines! 💙🦭 Simon completed his PhD on the conservation biology of the NZ sea lion while working for DoC as a senior marine mammal scientist. This included leading multiple trips to the subantarctic islands. He currently works for the Cawthron Institute and recently conducted a satellite tagging study on female sea lion in The Catlins. Simon will be sharing some of his subantarctic experiences with us and will summarise the findings of his Catlins based research. #dunedin #dunedinwildlife_nz #sealion #research #ōtepoti #marinemammalmonday #pakake #nzsealion #nzsealiontrust
This will be the cutest post you’ll see today — a northern fur seal pup! The Pribilof Islands and eastern Pacific stocks are listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In 2016 the pup population growth was the lowest recorded in 100 years. NOAA Fisheries scientists research population dynamics, biology, health, distribution and movement to better understand and protect these seals. Discover more about Northern Fur Seal research by NOAA Fisheries scientists 🔎 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/marine-mammal-protection/northern-fur-seal-research-alaska #MarineMammalMonday #NorthernFurSeal #Seals #Pinnipeds #Alaska #AK
Welcome to #MarineMammalMonday where we are spotlighting our Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus)! Did you know the Bowhead Whale has the largest mouth? They get their name from their upper jaws that are arched upwards forming a bow-shaped head. Their extremely large heads make up one-third of their body length and their skulls can be over 16.5 feet. The Bowhead Whale’s jaws hold the longest baleen plates of any whale. These baleen plates can reach up to about 14 feet and they filter water for food such as krill and small fish. They are one of the few whale species that mostly live in the Artic and subarctic waters. They have very thick blubber to adapt to the cold water temperatures and use their large heads to break sea ice. The Bowhead Whale is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation Act in 1970 and the Endangered Species Act in 1973 in the United States. They are also listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Bowhead Whales became endangered due to commercial whaling during the 1920s for their thick blubber and oil. They are slow swimmers and very docile species which made it easy to be hunted. Commercial whaling was eventually banned but these species still face threats including habitat loss due to climate change, toxics, offshore oil and gas, and an increase in shipping in the Arctic waters. PC: NOAA Fisheries
We're a lil sleepy this Monday morning. Can you SPOT our napping marine mammal friend? Who is it? #MondayMood #MarineMammal #MarineWildlife #MarineMammalMonday #RockyIntertidal #Phoca
Marine Mammal Monday 🐋 Island Whale Festival at Phillip Island starts on Friday! A fin-tastic family-friendly 3-day event during these school holidays focuses on all things Whale. 🐳 Art and Craft activities 🐳 Marine career sessions 🐳 Presentations and workshops 🐳 Silent disco 🐳 Whale tours 🐳 Face painting and more Check out @islandwhales 🐋 Whale see you there! . . . #islandwhales #whalefestival #phillipisland #schoolholidays #whalemigration #Whale #Marine #Marinemammal #marinemammalmonday #kidsschoolholiday #kidsactivities #schoolholidayactivities #marineeducation #environmentaleducation #enviokids #envirokidsvic #envirokidsvictoria #conservation #protection
Welcome to #MarineMammalMonday where we are spotlighting our Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). The Amazon River Dolphin have a very distinct color to them. The pink color is said to be scar tissue from rough games or fighting. The brighter the pink is the more attractive the males are to the females during mating season. This means the males are strikingly pinker than the females. They are only found in freshwater and throughout South America. The Amazon River Dolphin is the largest species of the river dolphins. A full-grown adult can grow up to 9 feet and weigh up to 400 pounds. They can also live to 30 years. They can swim up to 35 miles per hour due to their neck vertebrae not being fused giving them more flexibility. They also have a long snout that helps them swim between trees and branches and scavenging in the mud for crustaceans. In addition, they have a very strong jaw and tend to eat fish and occasionally crabs and turtles. They can eat around 50 species of fish in the Amazon. Unfortunately, there are only 6 species of river dolphins left and they are all endangered or critically endangered. The threats that these river dolphins experience are pollution and contamination, unsustainable fishing practices, dams, and shipping. PC: Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Welcome to #MarineMammalMonday where we are spotlighting our Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) Did you know that narwhals are often called the “unicorn of the sea”? Their scientific name, Monodon monoceros, means “one tooth, one horn.” Even though narwhals are classified as odontocetes (toothed whales), they don’t have any teeth in their mouth. Instead, their unique tooth or tusk protrudes through their upper lip in a counter-clockwise spiral. Male narwhals are the primary bearers of tusks, with only 15% of female narwhals possessing them. These tusks can reach lengths of two to three meters! Narwhals are one of the deepest diving marine mammals on the planet. They can dive more than 1,800 meters and spend much of their lives below 800 meters. Interestingly, narwhals have a higher feeding rate during the winter months and lower feeding habits during the warmer summer months. This is believed to be a strategy to avoid competition with other whales that primarily feed at great depths during the summer. PC: Paul Nicklen / National Geographic
Welcome to #MarineMammalMonday where we are spotlighting our Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Did you know Polar Bears are marine mammals? Although they do not live in the ocean as other marine mammals do, they spend most of their lives living on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean. They are the only bear’s considered marine mammals. They can hold their breath for more than one minute and the longest dive was recorded at 3 minutes and 10 seconds. Polar Bears are actually very strong swimmers due to their large paws that are used to paddle through the water. They can swim up to 6mph and can swim for long distances consistently for many hours. On average adult males can weigh from 600-1200 lbs and range from 8 to 10 feet. Adult females can weigh from 400 to 700 lbs and range from 6 to 8 feet. Their diet primarily consists of ringed seals and bearded seals. Unfortunately, Polar Bears have become endangered due global warming. They depend on the sea ice for survival and mating. The loss of sea ice threatens the Polar Bears main prey and makes it more difficult for them to hunt. According to Carbon Brief Clear on Climate, “While polar bears have shown some ability to adapt to changes in their surroundings – for example, by foraging for food on land or swimming more to hunt for prey – scientists project that polar bears will become more food-stressed as sea ice diminishes and that populations will decline.” Climate change is an very important issue and is impacting many of our beloved creatures. PC: The National Wildlife Federation
Welcome to #MarineMammalMonday where we are spotlighting our Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)! The Florida Manatee is such a fun, lovable, docile creature that is loved by anyone who is lucky enough to spot one. They are bigger than you think (can reach 13 feet and can weigh up to 1,300 pounds), have small brains but are surprisingly smart, can hold their breath for long periods of time (up to 20 minutes), and have no natural predators. They are one the luckiest ocean animals because they prefer different habitats from crocodiles, sharks, killer whales, and alligators who could be predators. They, therefore, have not developed escape responses or aggression mechanisms and tend to have a gentle, fearless demeanor. They are primarily found in Florida but can migrate as far as Rhode Island and Texas. They migrate during the months of May to November seeking cooler water. We have around 15 migrants on our coast and if you get lucky you might be able to spot one hanging out in our waters for the summer! The Florida Manatee’s lifespan is from 50-60 years. On average, they can grow to be around 11 ft long and weigh around 990 lbs. They are known, as “sea cows” and spend up to 8 hours gazing at the sea floor for marine vegetation such as aquatic plants and seagrass. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “A manatee can consume from 4 to 9 percent of its body weight in aquatic vegetation daily.” Manatees do not have any real predators based on the waters they inhabit. The lack of predators has allowed them to be very docile animals and have not developed any real aggression. However, their biggest threat is from humans which has caused all manatee species to be endangered and threatened. These threats include boat strikes, entrapment, entanglement, loss of warm-water habitat, cold stress, toxic pollution, and human disturbance. Although manatees are gentle and slow-moving, it’s important to observe them from a distance and not reach out and pet them. Let’s protect these marine mammals when they come to visit us in the summer! PC: Marine Mammal Commission
It's #MarineMammalMonday and it is time to send our spring interns off on their next adventures! We couldn't thank this group individuals enough for their hard work and dedication to our stranding program. Each of our interns are current marine biology students at the University of West Florida (UWF). Some were completing their final semesters at UWF, while others were just getting started in marine biology. Each of them was new to the stranding response field and left our internship gaining invaluable experience. Thank you A.J., Anna, Korrie, Hope, Isaac, and Greg for dedicating many hours to ECWR in stranding response and recovery, necropsies, lab maintenance, and education! We wish you the best of luck with your next adventures! All marine mammal stranding response conducted under a Stranding Agreement between ECWR and NOAA/NMFS. All sea turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for stranding response activities permitted through FWC MTP-21-033, #Conservation #MarineMammals #EmeraldCoastWildlifeRefuge #WildlifeRescue #StrandingResponse #SeaTurtles #Education #ECWildlifeRefuge #SEA
Welcome back for another #MarineMammalMonday where we are Spotlighting the Peale's Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis)! The Peale's dolphins are endemic to southern South American waters. Typically, they can be found swimming in shallow coastal waters such as kelp beds hunting for squid, fish, and crustaceans. According to MarineBio Society Conservation, "Peale’s dolphins are known to ride the bow waves of large vessels and may swim alongside smaller ones. Peale’s dolphins are agile and acrobatic swimmers, and have been observed in small groups of 2-30 animals cavorting with Risso’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins.'" Unfortunately, significant numbers of the Peales dolphins are killed by fishermen using them as bait and food each year. On top of that, Peale’s dolphins continue to be threatened by our unsustainable practices such as coastal gillnets, increased oil and gas activity, aquaculture development, and coastal habitat degradation. Remember that even in the Lowcountry, we have the opportunity to make a difference for our marine mammals and their future. #ChooseSustainability #ChooseTheEnvironment. PC: MarineBio Conservation Society #MarineMammalSpotlight #MarineMammalMonday #PealesDolphin #ProtectWhatYouLove #LMMN #MarineMammals
Marine Mammal Spotlight: Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) The Southern Right Whale can weigh up to 80,000 lbs, span up to 48 ft, and can live up to 100 years old! They are large, black, bulky whales that lack a dorsal fin. About ⅓ of their body is covered in raised calluses which have unique patterns - this is one of the ways researchers are able to recognize individuals! These baleen whales are found in the Southern Hemisphere and feed primarily on plankton, small fish, and krill. These gentle giants were a very common target in the whaling industry up until the 1970s. Whalers termed the name 'Right Whale' because they were considered to be the “right” whale to hunt due to their slow and social characteristics, just like the Northern Right Whales that migrate along our South Carolina coastline. They were also sought after because of their thick blubber layers which when dead, made them buoyant and easy for whalers to collect. Southern Right Whales are on a slow recovery from the near depletion of the whaling industry. They continue to face threats of overfishing and depletion of fish stocks, entanglement, climate change, pollution, and vessel strikes. #MarineMammalSpotlight #SouthernRightWhales #ProtectWhatYouLove #MarineMammalMonday
Marine Mammal Spotlight: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) These mammals were made famous in Herman Melville's Moby Dick. They are considered to be the largest toothed whales and have one of the widest distributions on our planet, from the artics to the tropics. Sperm whales get their name from a wax-like substance found in their heads called spermaceti. According to Nat Geo, scientists are still attempting to understand the function of spermaceti, but many believe it may help the animal regulate its buoyancy. Buoyancy is extremely important because Sperm whales are known to dive as deep as 3,280 feet in search of squid to eat - eating upwards of a ton a day! Sperm whales can reach lengths of up to 60 ft. Their heads alone account for one-third of their total body length. They have the largest brain of any known animal! Their lower jaw is narrow and covered with upwards of 28 teeth (their upper jaw rarely has teeth that break the gum line). Their bodies are dark gray and their skin is often wrinkled and covered in scars from their epic battles with the deep-dwelling giant squid. In the 18th and 19th centuries, sperm whales were a prime target in the whaling industry. They were targeted for their oil and ambergris, a substance that forms around squid beaks in a whale's stomach. According to Nat Geo, “Ambergris was (and remains) a very valuable substance once used in perfumes.” Today these animals are considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act and depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Photo Credit: FLIP NICKLIN, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION #MarineMammalSpotlight #SpermWhales #MobyDick #LMMN #ProtectWhatYouLove #MarineMammalMonday
I’m a Barbie Girl In a Barbie World! Life in plastic it’s not so fantastic for the North Atlantic Right Whale whose numbers dip below 400 whales in the wild. Main threats to these Barbies are entanglements in fishing gear, boat strikes, and climate change patterns which pushes their range northward. These Barbies’ migration routes coincide with major shipping lines, causing collisions and ocean noise that infers with their echolocation abilities. Historically, these were limited edition Barbies, praised for their oil and baleen. Today, they are still victim to sailors, striking them with their boats. Here’s how to put your favorite Barbie back in stores forever: 1. Properly dispose of fishing gear 2. Advocate for legislation about changing shipping routes 3. Support government oceanic organizations such as NOAA 4. Avoid products produced by unsustainable fishing 5. If you are a boater, be aware of your surroundings and watch for marine life 6. Sign petitions advocating for species protection We all can play a part in restoring the population of these marine Barbies!! 💕 #barbiemovie #barbie #barbiedoll #barbielife #northatlanticrightwhale #conservation #ryangosling #margotrobbie #dualipa #sustainability #ocean #thrivingcorals #marine #marinemammalmonday #friday #whales #dolphins #pink #july21
Happy #MarineMammalMonday! Today, we want to introduce you to an adult female bottlenose dolphin named Squiggle. She's recognizable by the distinct pattern of nicks and notches in her dorsal fin. Here, she's with her calf at the time, who is missing part of her pectoral fin. Photo: Wilder Seas, WDP
🚨 New Patient Alert 🚨 Meet Shenandoah! Shenandoah is a female grey seal weanling brought to us by our friends at ifaw on April 13th after spending a little too much time around the West Beach Club in Hyannisport. Initially she looked pretty good, but over the course of a few days as the rescue team monitored her, her condition started to decline. Shenandoah comes to us with malnutrition, dehydrated, with a considerable parasite load (lung worm, thorny headed worm, tape worm,) broncho-interstitial verminous pneumonia, mild dermatitis on the webbing of her rear flippers, and with a small injury on her mandible. Despite all of this, she takes the "fight" aspect of "fight or flight" very seriously and is keeping the animal care team on their toes whenever handling in necessary- and we love to see it. Shenandoah is named after the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It encompasses a portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains and over 200,000 acres of protected lands. Photo of the park provided by the National Parks Conservation Association. #shenandoah #shenandoahnationalpark #nationalpark #wildlife #wildliferescue #sealsofinstgram #greyseal #marinemammal #marinemammalmonday #sealrescue #rescuerehabrelease @shenandoahnps @nationalparkservice
It’s Spring Break! 🌊🐚🏄🌅 Let's take some self care notes from some local Harbor Seals 🦑 Eat Local ✔️ 🦭 Stay Moisturized ✔️ ☀️ Soak Up The Sun ✔️ 😴 Be Well Rested ✔️ These harbor seals were seen observing rocky intertidal monitoring events while sunbathing. Rest assured LiMPETS staff & student scientists made sure to keep a safe 100 meter distance. Do not be fooled by their lovable image; seals have sharp teeth with a strong bite and can be very protective of their territory & offspring. It is not only dangerous to approach them, but it’s a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If a marine mammal notices you, you are too close, so back up until they resume their behavior. #SealOfApproval #LookDontTouch #SpringBreak #MarineMammalMonday #DontApproach #Phoca
We're back with another #GonzoWatch 👀🦭 Gonzo is still holding strong off the coast of Maine, but we've got something a little extra for everyone today. We've included a smaller, zoomed in map to show that Gonzo may have found a new favorite spot, Criehaven Island. Located about halfway up the Maine coast, Criehaven Island (or Ragged Island) is the farthest offshore inhabited island on the East coast! Yes, just a smidge farther than Matinicus Island. Judging from the smaller map, Gonzo has been to and from this island multiple times. Has he declared Criehaven Island home, or is he still considering all options? Only one way to find out! #maine #eastcoast #offshore #raggedisland #criehavenisland #newengland #traveler #sealsofinstagram #sattag #research #rescuerehabrelease #harborseal #marinemammalmonday #seals #sealrescue #wildlife
😍 🦭Happy International Wildlife Week! 💙 Spent some time with these magnificent manatees at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Kings Bay recently and feel in love with these cool creatures. 🤩 These warm water springs provide a critical winter habitat for these cool marine mammals and a designated area to protect them too! #manateemanners #manateerefuge #protectwildlife #crystalriver #kingsbay #marinemammalmonday
#MarineMammalMonday is back, and today we're highlighting one of the most charismatic animals that visitors may spot in the Park! California sea lions haul out on all five islands within Channel Islands National Park, and form breeding colonies on San Miguel and Santa Barbara Islands. In fact, in Southern California, sea lions breed and pup almost exclusively on the Channel Islands! As of 2018, @noaafisheries estimated the California sea lion population at over 250,000 individuals, with over 47,000 pups counted along the U.S. coast! On land, all of the park’s pinnipeds are sensitive to human disturbance. In particular, at the sight or sound of human encroachment, California sea lions may panic and attempt to reach the water. Depending on the intensity of the disturbance, they may startle to the point of a massive stampede, which can result in the crushing or abandonment of newborn pups as well as injuries to other animals. When visiting the park, help to do your part to #ShareTheShore with seals and sea lions by watching marine mammals from a safe and responsible distance! #Pinnipeds #ChannelIslandsNationalPark #MarineConservation #SeaLions #ShareTheShore #FindYourPark [Image 1: NPS / Scott Gabara. Images 2-3: NPS / Reuven Bank]
Marine Mammal Spotlight: stranding edition On Monday, March 27th, one of our volunteer partners in Hilton Head, Amber Kuehn, received a call about a stranded spotted dolphin on Hilton Head Beach. The animal was already dead and washed ashore. Amber was able to respond and collect samples for us. Based on the necropsy, we could not determine a cause of death and because histology was not collected we will not have much more information. Facts about spotted dolphins: 1. They do live off our coast- but very far out (about 200+ miles offshore). 2. These animals are known for their distinctive spots however, they aren’t born that way! It takes about three years before these spots begin to develop. 3. There are two types of spotted dolphins that live in our Atlantic waters. Both the Atlantic spotted dolphin & the pantropical spotted dolphins reach lengths from 5-8.5 ft and can weigh between 220-315 lbs! #ProtectWhatYouLove #LMMN #MarineMammalSpotlight #MarineMammalMonday #AtlanticSpottedDolphins #PantropicalSpottedDolphin #StrandingResponse
Mālama ʻĀina - Hawaiian Monk Seal Stewardship, April 06, 2023, 10:30am - 11:15am Join Maui Dispatcher, Ashley Hechavarria and Hawaiʻi Island Dispatcher, Carmelita Villalobos with The Marine Mammal Center on a complimentary talk about Hawaiian Monk Seals at Kimo's in Lahaina. Learn about the history of The Marine Mammal Center's work with rescue, rehabilitation, release, research, and education, as well as take a deeper dive into the stories of their Hawaiian monk seal patients. They will describe the challenges they face, how they care for them at Ke Kai Ola, and how anyone can get involved to protect Hawaiian monk seals and our shared ocean environment. **Reservations NOT required, doors open at 10:20 AM**
We’re back with another #GonzoWatch 👀 In just 12 days Gonzo has officially left the Gulf of Maine and crossed over into the Bay of Fundy 🇨🇦! He is now off the coast of Grand Mandan Island, New Brunswick- just off Seal Cove to be exact! That is 1,381ish miles from his release site in Plymouth (if you were driving a straight line and then took a boat..) Will Gonzo call Canada home? Only one way to tell, stay tuned for the next Gonzo Watch! #satellites #sealsofinstagram #seal #harborseal #marinemammalmonday #pupdate #research #rescuerehabilitaterelease #capecod #canada #bayoffundy #gulfofmaine
Marine Mammal Spotlight: Commerson’s Dolphin The Commerson’s dolphin goes by many names: the jacobita, skunk dolphin, piebald dolphin or panda dolphin. Many of these names are because the Commerson’s dolphins are distinct with sharp black and white coloring. Their back, bellies, and throat are mainly white while the rest of them is black which includes their heads, face, flippers, dorsal fin, and tail. However, they don’t have this coloring their entire life. When born, these dolphins are gray, black, or brown and over time acquire distinctive black and white patterns. Generally, they spend most of their time in shallow coastal waters in groups smaller than 10. Similar to many other dolphins, Commerson’s dolphins are fast, active swimmers. They can be seen bow-riding, breaching, swimming upside down, and spinning underwater. They are also very social dolphins and are often seen with many other dolphin and porpoise species. Because Commerson’s dolphins prefer being in shallow coastal waters, they are very vulnerable to becoming entangled in fishing gear. No matter where you are in the world, you can make a difference by choosing sustainable seafood and supporting fishing practices that intentionally prevent bycatch. Knowing where your food is coming from and how it’s caught is a great first step! P.C. Juan Carlos MuÒoz #MarineMammalSpotlight #MarineMammalMonday #TheMoreYouKnow #LMMN #MarineMammals #ProtectWhatYouLove
It is #MarineMammalMonday and today we are highlighting our wonderful interns we have onboard for this spring! All interns are undergraduate students at the University of West Florida studying Marine Biology! These guys have been devoted to learning about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, our Gulf of Mexico specific species that are frequently rescued or are found stranded, and they have been a great addition to our program! ECWR can't thank them enough for their commitment to our Stranding Team. If you are a UWF Marine Biology student looking to gain experience in such a unique field, we are looking for interns for this Summer! If you are interested in being a part of our team and meet the requirements, or want more information on the internship program, please reach out to our Stranding Coordinator by calling the refuge or email at [email protected] All marine mammal stranding response conducted under a Stranding Agreement between ECWR and NOAA/NMFS. All sea turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for stranding response activities permitted through FWC MTP-21-033. This is a reminder that if you come across a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle to follow the STRAND acronym! S- Stop and call 855-STRAND1 (855-787-2631) T- Take pictures and videos for responding personnel R- Remain within sight of the animal A- Always keep a safe distance N- Never push the animal back into the water D- Determine your exact location The Stranding Team here at ECWR is composed of experienced marine wildlife professionals who are working under an established NOAA Stranding Agreement and FWC Sea Turtle permits and respond to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings all year long. If you are outside of ECWR's response area, call 877-WHALE HELP (877-942-5343) for marine mammal strandings, and the FWC Wildlife Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). #Conservation #MarineMammals #EmeraldCoastWildlifeRefuge #WildlifeRescue #StrandingResponse #SeaTurtles #Education #ecwildliferefuge