Cordova's Flipper Stand Continued


[new video coming soon...]

There are many different ways to train a behavior. Often a combination of approaches is good. It depends on how you and the animal you are working with interact and what is comfortable for both. I started training Cordova's flipper stand by asking her to touch her hind end to a target. After many trials and very little movement, I decided to give her something to put her hind end on. This didn't work very well. I should note that a great deal of time had been devoted to her keeping her hind end still for voluntary blood draws and vaccinations. Another idea was to ask her up onto something. Asking her up onto a step worked. I was able to touch her hind end as it came up with the target and reinforce the upward movement, but she still wasn't offering the upward movement to the target without the step. Cordova is an animal who enjoys being touched. I am now actually picking her hind end up trying to get her to brace her front flippers and support her weight up on them.

-Cheryl

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Labels: Cheryl, Cordova, Flipper stand, fur seals, Northern Fur Seal, training

A Big Weight Difference

As we welcomed our newest addition, Baranov, to the northern fur seal exhibit, the size difference between male and female fur seals became VERY obvious. Male fur seals can reach a top weight of 600 pounds while females only weigh a maximum of 120. Check out the video to see the size difference for yourself. Baranov and Cordova have the same father so they are half siblings and the two seals are almost the same age. They certainly don't look like it!



Male fur seals have a thick layer of blubber underneath their skin. During the breeding season the males establish a territory on land so that they can attract females for breeding. Like the females, male fur seals rely on their thick coat of fur to stay warm. Unlike female fur seals, the males have thick blubber as a means of protection when other males challenge them for land space. The blubber also serves as a food source for the males when they are protecting their territory and are unable to go to the ocean to find food.


~Patty

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Labels: Baranov, Cordova, Northern Fur Seal, Patty

Labels: Cheryl, Cordova, fur seals, Training Flipper stand

Fun for Cordova



Every day we try to find new and exciting things that our marine mammals enjoy. Not only does it stimulate the seals but it's also fun for us! Once in a while, something excites them that we would never even think of. Check the above video out to see what I mean. Our assistant curator Jenny's watch caught the reflection of the sun and a fifteen minute enrichment session with Cordova took off! Enjoy!

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Labels: Cordova, enrichment