Seal at Boston Aquarium Loves Playing with Rubber Ducks

The 33-year-old Atlantic harbor seal named Reggae uses the toys as part of his daily training and enrichment routine.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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At the New England Aquarium in Boston, a 33-year-old Atlantic harbor seal named Reggae has become known for his love of playing with rubber ducks. The toys are part of Reggae's daily training and enrichment routine, which helps keep him mentally and physically engaged. Trainers say the sessions strengthen the seal's relationship with them and allow him to use his senses to explore the habitat. Reggae is one of the aquarium's most recognizable residents, and the seals there often live well beyond the typical 25-year lifespan in the wild due to the institution's veterinary care, structured training, and daily enrichment.

Why it matters

The use of rubber ducks and other toys in the seals' daily enrichment routines highlights the importance of providing mental stimulation and physical activity for animals in human care. This helps ensure the seals' overall health and well-being, and strengthens the bond between the animals and their trainers.

The details

Reggae the 33-year-old Atlantic harbor seal at the New England Aquarium in Boston is known for his playful interactions with rubber ducks. The ducks are part of his daily training and enrichment routine, which challenges him cognitively through memory, problem-solving, and focus exercises. Trainers say the sessions also help strengthen the relationship between Reggae and his caretakers, as he responds to cues and even physically interacts with the toys. The aquarium's seals are among its most popular residents, and the institution attributes the seals' longevity - often exceeding 30 or even 40 years - to the high-quality veterinary care, structured training, and daily enrichment they receive.

  • Reggae has been a resident at the New England Aquarium for many years.
  • The aquarium recently posted a video of Reggae playing with the rubber ducks on social media.

The players

Reggae

A 33-year-old Atlantic harbor seal who lives at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

New England Aquarium

A public aquarium located in Boston, Massachusetts that is home to Reggae and other marine animals.

Rebekah Miller

The manager of the pinniped area at the New England Aquarium.

Liz Wait

A trainer at the New England Aquarium who works with Reggae and the other seals.

Tom Smith

A 13-year-old visitor to the New England Aquarium who was surprised to see a seal playing with a rubber duck.

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What they’re saying

“He can use his great vision to look around the habitat, find these new items, and he can also use his other senses to kind of explore. It's a great way to challenge our animals.”

— Rebekah Miller, Manager of the pinniped area

“You never expect a seal to hug a rubber ducky.”

— Tom Smith

The takeaway

The New England Aquarium's use of rubber ducks and other toys in its seals' daily enrichment routines highlights the importance of providing mental stimulation and physical activity for animals in human care. This helps ensure the seals' overall health and well-being, and strengthens the bond between the animals and their trainers.