A baby sludge seal was born! You can see the adorable baby!

2024.02.29 13:00

しながわ水族館

Shinagawa Aquarium (Shinagawa, Tokyo; Director: Masakatsu Suzuki) is pleased to announce the birth on February 20, 2024 (Tuesday) of a baby seal (male) between "Fubuki" (female) and "Hoshi" (male), a largha seal.

5th day after birth

The 1st day after birth (1)

≪Let's get to the birth...

On September 29, 2023, the mother Fubuki's pregnancy was confirmed by the results of an ultrasound examination, so from October 17 of the same year, the mother was moved from the "Seal Pavilion" to the "Sea lion" tank to prepare for the birth in a calm environment. The birth was confirmed at 23:38 on February 20, 2024.

≪After the birth

We were able to confirm that the mother Fubuki was nurturing her cubs from the first day after birth, and she was nursing them, but we were unable to confirm that the mother and cubs were nursing due to timing mismatches, so we switched to artificial nursing by the keepers.

≪About the viewing...

The mother and pups are currently being cared for in the "Sea Lion" tank, which is used as a breeding space for baby seals. The viewing area is partially restricted and there is a distance between the tank and visitors, so it may be difficult to see the seals. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and ask for your understanding and cooperation in watching the seals until the babies are stable.

Please note that the aquarium may be closed without prior notice due to conditions of the animals.

The sea lion "Sea Lion" will remain on display until the baby seals grow up.

First day of life (2)

About the baby largha seal and its parents "Fubuki" and "Hoshi

Mother Fubuki

Father Hoshi

Cub (male): Born at 23:38 on February 20, 2024. 5,715g as of February 29.

Fubuki (mother): Protected in 2004 in Furuhira Town, Hokkaido, and came to Shinagawa Aquarium.

　　　　　　　Estimated age: 20 years old. Slightly timid.

Hoshi (father): 8 years old, born on March 21, 2015 at Marinepia Nihonkai, Niigata City Aquarium.

　　　　　　　He has been at the Shinagawa Aquarium since January 2018 through a breeding loan.

　　　　　　　He is very curious.

Comments from a keeper

A long-awaited sargassum seal was born at the Shinagawa Aquarium. They have white fur for about 2 to 3 weeks after birth, but then the white fur falls out and they become sesame patterned. This is a limited-time appearance. Please see them as soon as possible!"

Toshihisa Matsuto, Deputy Director, Shinagawa Aquarium

About Spotted Seals

English name: Spotted Seal Scientific name: Phoca largha

Spotted seals live in the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, and the Yellow Sea, and are characterized by the sesame pattern on their bodies.

<About breeding

Gomafu seals seen in the waters around Japan have a gestation period of about one year, and give birth on an ice floe off the coast of Hokkaido around March, which is the season for giving birth. The babies are covered with white newborn fur, which serves as a protective color on the ice floes, and after two to four weeks, the hair changes and the body color becomes the same as that of the adult animals. The mother raises her young alone.

Outline of the Shinagawa Aquarium

Location: 3-2-1 Katsushima, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0012, Japan

Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)

Closed: Tuesdays, January 1

Admission ： Adults (high school students and older): 1,350 yen

　　　　　Elementary/junior high school students: 600 yen

　　　　　Infants (4 years old and up) 300 yen

　　　　　Silver (65 years old and over) 1,200 yen

The contents may be subject to change depending on the situation.

All prices include tax.

For inquiries from customers, please contact

Shinagawa Aquarium