Seals and Sea Lions Frolic in Snow at New England Aquarium

Blizzard provides 'environmental enrichment' for marine mammals

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The blizzard that hit the Northeast in 2026 brought some unexpected joy to the animals at the New England Aquarium in Boston. Footage shows the aquarium's Atlantic Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions enthusiastically playing and exploring in the fresh snow, which the animal care team says provides valuable mental and physical stimulation for the marine mammals.

Why it matters

The aquarium staff view the snow as a form of 'environmental enrichment' that encourages positive behaviors in the seals and sea lions, keeping them active and engaged. This type of enrichment is an important part of providing excellent care for animals in captivity.

The details

The snowfall this week gave the seals and sea lions new textures, scents, and surfaces to investigate, which the aquarium staff say the animals thoroughly enjoyed. The snow allowed the marine mammals to exhibit natural exploratory behaviors that they don't typically get to experience in their normal aquarium environment.

  • The blizzard hit the Northeast region in 2026.

The players

New England Aquarium

A public aquarium located in Boston, Massachusetts that is home to a variety of marine life including seals and sea lions.

Atlantic Harbor Seals

A species of earless seal found along the Atlantic coast of North America that are residents of the New England Aquarium.

California Sea Lions

A species of sea lion native to the western coast of North America that are also residents of the New England Aquarium.

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What they’re saying

“The snow allows those animals to investigate new textures, scents and surfaces, they said.”

— New England Aquarium staff (wbal.com)

The takeaway

The seals and sea lions' enthusiastic response to the unexpected snowfall highlights the importance of providing engaging, enriching environments for animals in captivity. By giving the marine mammals opportunities to explore new elements, the aquarium is supporting their physical and mental well-being.