|
|
 |
|
At The Maritime Aquarium more than 500,000 people every year get a peek under the waves at the amazing biodiversity (variety of life) found in Long Island Sound. Click on the name of your favorite animal below to learn even more.
You might also want to learn more about these Aquarium animals:
|
|
|
 |
Harbor Seal
Common Name: Atlantic harbor seal
Latin Name: Phoca vitulina
Size/weight: Between 5 and 6 feet long; 175 – 225 pounds. Males are sometimes larger.
Range: Harbor seals can be found throughout the northern Atlantic, along both coasts.
|
 |
|
Habitat: Harbor seals “haul out” on offshore rocks and sand bars in the Sound that are exposed during low tide. The term “haul out” refers both to the location like a rock where the seal is resting (the “haul out” site) and to the action of a seal climbing out of the water onto land (to “haul out”).
Diet: Varies regionally, but generally consists of fish, crabs, lobster and squid.
Predators: Main predators include killer whales and sharks. Large eagles, coyotes and gulls have been known to prey on seal pups.
Description: Harbor seals range in color from brown, tan, light grey and silver with dark spots. Their thick short coat is made of coarse guard hairs and finer, but denser under hairs.
Conservation Note: Since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972, harbor seal populations have been rebounding from depletion by hunting and other threats. The generally improving health of Long Island Sound also seems to be a factor in the seals’ return.
On Exhibit in Falconer Hall
Top
|
 |
|
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Common Name: Loggerhead sea turtle
Latin Name: Caretta caretta
Size/weight: Up to 38 inches long and 400 pounds when fully grown.
Range: Found in warmer waters in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the western Atlantic, loggerheads can be found from Newfoundland to Argentina. Juvenile loggerheads sometimes visit Long Island Sound during the summer.
|
 |
|
Habitat: Loggerheads can be found throughout their range anywhere from shoreline lagoons, bays and river mouths to thousands of miles out to sea. Nests are typically dug on sandy beaches between the high tide line and the beginning of dunes or vegetation.
Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, fish, etc…
Predators: Loggerheads are at greatest risk from a variety of human and animal predators who disturb the nest sites, eating and taking eggs. Many hatchlings are also eaten as they try to make their way from the nest into the water. Seagoing adults are often trapped and drown in long-line fishing nets.
Description: Loggerheads are so named for their large, seemingly over-sized head. They have a sharp beak, a large reddish-brown carapace and yellowish skin. Unlike land turtles, a sea turtle can’t tuck its head or flippers into its shell.
Conservation Note: Although loggerhead sea turtles are the most abundant sea turtle in U.S. waters, their population is still low enough to list them as “threatened” on the Endangered Species List. Newer “turtle exclusion devices” on fishing nets may be reducing turtle deaths.
On Exhibit at in the Loggerhead sea turtle exhibit
Top
|
|
|
North American River Otter
Common Name: North American river otter
Latin Name: Lontra canadensis
Size/weight: Adult size is about 2.5 – 5 feet long (with tail) and 10 – 30 pounds.
Range: Throughout North America (Alaska, Canada and the lower 48 United States).
|
 |
|
Habitat: River otters can be found in or near fresh water (lakes, streams, marshes, etc…) and in brackish waters. They build their dens (or take over abandoned dens of other animals) in riverbanks or in a natural hollow near the water.
Diet: North American river otters find most of their food in the water; amphibians, fish, turtles, crayfish, crabs and other invertebrates are favorites. Birds, eggs, aquatic plants, and small land mammals are sometimes on a river otter’s menu.
Predators: Bobcats, coyotes, birds of prey. Hunting.
Description: With their long, streamlined bodies and thick, tapered tails North American River otters are well suited to a life around the water. Fur is thick and dark brown, lighter on the underside. Long, sensitive whiskers help them find food under water.
Conservation Note: Once a heavily hunted species, North American river otter populations continue to rebound. However, threats come from development and pollution, as otters prefer quiet areas with clean water.
On Exhibit in the Watershed Gallery
Top
|
|
|
Sand Tiger Shark
Common Name: Sand tiger shark
Latin Name: Carcharias taurus
Size/weight: Up to 10 or 11 feet long, though usually not that long. Weight is up to 350 pounds.
Range: Most warmer oceans, except the Eastern Pacific, including Long Island Sound.
|
 |
|
Habitat: Found most often in coastal waters, though sand tiger sharks can sometimes be found in deeper offshore waters.
Diet: What’s not on the sand tiger shark’s menu? Although they will eat almost anything (fish, crustaceans, etc…), because they are a slow-moving shark they tend to eat very little (in proportion to their body size
Predators: Humans and other sharks.
Description: Sand tiger sharks are light brown to grey in color, with lighter shading on their undersides. This “countershading” is a sort of camouflage that makes the animal more difficult for its prey to see. A distinguishing factor is that, unlike most other sharks, the sand tiger shark’s two dorsal fins are about the same size. And its teeth are visible at all times.
Conservation Note: Sand tiger shark pups practice in vitro cannibalism. While still inside its mother, pups consume each other and any unhatched eggs until only one survives. And with only one pup born at a time, the sand tiger shark recovers slowly from population setbacks.
On Exhibit in the Open Ocean exhibit
|
|
|
|
|
|
