You probably didn’t realize your day needed a video of a harbor seal cuddling a rubber duck, but here we are.
At the New England Aquarium, staff describe it as an enrichment exercise for their Atlantic harbor seals, meant to keep them curious and mentally active. To everyone else, though, it just looks incredibly cute.
That was especially true when the aquarium shared a video of Reggae, a 33-year-old seal, happily playing with a bright yellow rubber duck. The clip quickly won people over online and turned Reggae into a surprise social media favorite.
Posted on Instagram and Facebook, the video drew around 80,000 likes from viewers charmed by the seal’s affectionate behavior, including hugging and nuzzling the floating toy.
Rebekah Miller, who manages the aquarium’s Atlantic harbor seals and California sea lions, told the Associated Press that the toys are more than simple entertainment. She explained that they help challenge the animals and encourage them to use their natural problem-solving abilities.
The aquarium is home to five seals, all born in human care, and each one is naturally inquisitive. By placing unusual objects throughout their habitat, which is designed to resemble a rocky New England shoreline, staff help keep the animals engaged, stimulated, and active.