AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) -- A metro Detroit aquarium is ringing in the new year with brand new stingray babies, Blueberry and Chocolate Chip.
SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium in Auburn Hills said their new bundles of joy are doing "swimmingly" after being born inside their Harbor exhibit.
Aquarium officials said they're "thrilled to have such successful and healthy newborns at the start of the new year."
Stingray babies, Blueberry and Chocolate Chip, exploring their environment Credit: SEA LIFE Aquarium
“The parents are named ‘Muffin’ and ‘Mrs. Muffin’, so we decided to name the babies after our favorite mini-muffin flavors” said Gordon G., marine biologist at SEA LIFE. “We just started training them to pole feed so when they grow and move into larger habitats, we’ll be able to make sure they’re getting the right amount of food and medicine when needed.”
Related
The Yellow Stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis) babies have been moved from behind-the-scenes to a public area in the 26,000 sq. ft. aquarium so guests can witness the palm-sized creatures up close.
SEA LIFE's animal care team is taking care of each baby individually to ensure each one's proper nutrition and safety.
Related
"The knowledge of this breeding and the newborns will be shared globally across the wildlife community to ensure this species continues to thrive," said the aquarium in a statement.
For more information on the stingrays, click here.