• Reggae the seal enjoys playful learning with her rubber duck at the aquarium

Reggae, a 33-year-old harbor seal at the New England Aquarium in Boston, has become a hit online after videos of her spending fun, interactive time with her favorite rubber duck went viral.

In a clip shared on the aquarium’s Instagram, Reggae can be seen chasing and kissing her duck as it floats in her pool, while trainers stand nearby to guide the toy back if it drifts too far.

The video quickly captured the hearts of animal lovers and, by March, had become the aquarium’s second-most popular post on Instagram, according to Marisa Bernal, the aquarium’s social media manager.

Trainers emphasize that the rubber duck isn’t just a playful companion—it also plays a key role in stimulating Reggae’s cognitive skills.

Reggae and her fellow harbor seals take part in enrichment sessions designed to challenge their minds and strengthen bonds with their trainers, all within an environment modeled after the rocky New England coast.

The aquarium explained on social media: “The rubber duck is part of a cognitive activity we call ‘Find It!’ Reggae learns to search for the duck in her pool and distinguish between different objects, adding variety to her playtime while supporting learning and mental stimulation.”

Patty Leonard, an assistant at the aquarium, added that marine mammals are highly intelligent, and searching for food or objects is natural behavior: “In the wild, seals would be hunting for food. Their natural curiosity can be harnessed during training. Reggae is no exception.”

While wild harbor seals typically live 25 to 30 years, Reggae and her tankmates at the aquarium often live 30 to 40 years.

Regarding the impact of her newfound fame, trainers say it hasn’t changed her personality: “She’s very calm, goes with the flow, and enjoys attention from people,” said trainer Liz Wait.