Have you ever received a round of applause…from a seal? If not, then it’s time for a visit to see five very entertaining friends, who go by the names of Susie, Tillie, Polly, Sandy, and Leila.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, just about a 15-minute drive from the Fairfield University campus. The aquarium features many aspects of underwater life, concentrating on animals and plants that live in the rivers and streams of Connecticut and the Long Island Sound. The seals are the highlight.
These five little rascals swim in an indoor/outdoor tank, equipped with enormous rocks for their lounging and feeding pleasure. The seals are fed by their trainer, Vicki, three times daily at 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3:45 p.m…and it’s not your average dinner party.
First, Vicki walks into the tank by way of a platform and stands on one of the rocks with a bucket filled with fish, usually herring. A large crowd gathers around to view this spectacle, but everyone is extremely quiet so as not to scare our flippered friends.
“We have a mother-daughter team in the tank,” begins Vicki, who is able to narrate the entire feeding process without frightening the seals, who she reveals to be very shy. Vicki is referring to 28-year-old Susie, and her daughter, 14-year-old Tillie.
Susie is the oldest seal in the tank, and even has a claim to fame-she was “tankmates” with perhaps the most well-known seal of all time, Andre the Seal, at the Mystic Aquarium back in the 1970’s. When Vicki calls her name, Susie climbs up onto her spot on the rocks to wait for her turn to feed.
Tillie is not far behind her mother, and takes her designated place on the rocks as well. Distinguishable by a blond mark over her left eye, this little character revels in the applause that she gets, and expresses her delight by clapping her flipper against the side of her body, making a deliciously loud slapping noise. Tillie entertains others (and herself) by blowing bubbles underwater and chasing them to the surface.
Vicki explains that while they may look a little more like dogs, the seals tend to act more like cats. When asked if the seals know their own names when called, Vicki tells the crowd that they certainly hear basic commands, as well as vibrations. To demonstrate her point, she calls Polly up onto the rocks, and within a second, Polly is there waiting for her turn to eat.
At 15-years-old, Polly seemed to be the most affectionate seal, and started off by giving Vicki a kiss-which was followed by a simultaneous “awww” from the audience. Polly has a pink birthmark on her chest, and was also a crowd pleaser when she showed how she could open her mouth on command.
Next up at dinner was the newest addition to the aquarium, and the only male seal in the tank, Sandy. Sandy is also the largest of the seals, weighing in at a whopping 225 pounds. Sandy was brought to the tank in hopes that he would mate with Tillie, but so far, nothing has happened. Vicki describes him as the “stud” of the tank, and said he loves to roll off the rocks after he is done eating to make a big splash for the crowd.
Last is Leila, who is named after the famous song “Layla” by Eric Clapton, but maintains her own way of spelling it. Leila is a ham, and loves it when the crowd waves to her. She also has a soft spot for babies, and enjoys waving to them.
“They’re great,” said Vicki, after the crowd had dispersed and feeding time had come to an end. “They all have their own personalities and dispositions, I just get such a kick out of them.”
As will anyone who visits this spectacular exhibit. Located conveniently off of I-95 and about 11 miles from campus, the aquarium provides an enjoyable atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy, while also serving an educational purpose…what a concept!
The Maritime Aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. In July ‘ August, the aquarium stays open until 6 p.m. Directions are as follows.
From I-95 northbound- Exit 14. Continue straight at two stop signs. Right at first light onto West Avenue. Bear left at third light onto North Main Street. Left at first light onto Ann Street.
From I-95 southbound- Exit 15. Exit ramp splits: stay to right following signs for South Norwalk. Left at light onto West Avenue. Bear left at fifth light onto North Main Street. Left at first light onto Ann Street.
For more information, visit their website at www.maritimeaquarium.org.
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