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| Species: |
Harbor seal |
| Rescue Date: |
May 31, 2003 |
| Rescue Location: |
Huntington Beach, CA |
| Rescue Weight: |
18 pounds |
| Rescue Length: |
31 inches |
| Sex: |
Female |
| Approx. Rescue Age: |
1-2 months |
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Snow White, being the fairest of them all, has earned the respect of her
seven dwarfs (volunteers at the center). Even though she is small and
sweet looking, she is still a wild animal and will compete with larger
animals for her share of food. She will also defend herself when she
feels threatened or in danger. A couple of our experienced volunteers
were reminded of this first hand when they were bitten or scratched by
sweet little Snow White.
Please remember when you see an animal on the beach that they are wild
and should be given the space and respect they deserve. Please keep
your distance and never try to touch a wild animal.
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Snow White
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Snow White earned her name since she is a harbor seal with very light
fur and only a few dark spots. Harbor seals can range in colors of grey from
the very light, almost white, to a very dark grey. They commonly have many
spots covering their entire body.
Click here to see our Species Identifier.
This will help you to identify the difference between harbor seals and other
seals and sea lions.
Once at the center, we immediately started Snow White on a feeding schedule.
Initially, she was started on a liquid diet rich in electrolytes, antibiotics and
vitamins. Fish and multi-milk are gradually added to her formula feedings.
It has only taken her a couple of weeks to learn to eat fish on her own. She began
fish school, learning to search for fish under the water in a pool.
Snow White arrived at the center with a few spots of tar on her body. In the top
picture, you can see a dark patch of tar on her right flipper.
We use animal safe, mild soaps to clean the tar off of animals at the center.
Harbor seals move on land by scooting along on their bellies. It is easy for them
to pick up any tar that may be on the sand on the beach.
Young, small harbor seals have trouble maintaining body warmth and hydration levels.
We often monitor the animals temperature and move them indoors into pens equipped
with heat lamps to warm them. Naturally they have a thick blubber layer that acts
as an insulator to the cold ocean waters.
We also monitor animals hydration levels. It is normal for a well hydrated animal
to tear and have wet fur around their eyes. When an animal becomes dehydrated, we
treat this by giving them a liquid meal to help restore their hydration levels.
Please see our Wish List page for a list of
items you can donate such as heat lamps and pedialyte that will help keep these
animals warm and hydrated.
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