montereybayaquarium:

Meet Our Young Sea Turtle!

Curious and gentle, green sea turtles have always been one of the most popular animals at the Aquarium. Recently we added a young turtle, Azul, to the Open Sea exhibit for the first time. The eight-year-old is being “mentored” by one of our large turtles, estimated to be in her 60s. 

So what can you teach a turtle? Plenty, it turns out. Azul is learning how to navigate the exhibit and live alongside pelagic rays, hammerhead sharks, our rapidly growing ocean sunfish and dozens of other animals. The young turtle is also being “target trained,” so it will know to come over at mealtime.

Feeding time in our Open Sea exhibit is carefully choreographed, with five species simultaneously being fed around the rim of the million-gallon display, far above the visitor viewing area. In one corner, the pelagic ray is fed squid, fish and shrimp. Nearby, other aquarists offer fresh salmon steaks to two species of hungry sharks. On a long gangplank extending over the middle of the exhibit, another staffer  hand-feeds the ocean sunfish. And, in yet another part of the exhibit, two more staff feed the turtles bell peppers and romaine lettuce, luring them over with colored floats, which they’ve learned to associate with food.  

“Our experience is that these turtles are very social,” says Senior Aquarist Veronica Franklin. Unfortunately, this means they’re keenly interested in what everyone else is having for lunch. They also like to “surf” the small jet streams that circulate water into the exhibit. At times, just like a day at elementary school, it can be a little challenging to keep everyone focused and in their respective places! 

Each turtle target comprises a long pole with a pool float on the end. Azul’s float is blue and white, while the larger turtle’s float is yellow with a black stripes. Believe it or not, says Veronica, “they can really tell the difference.

“It does seem to help for Azul to have a mentor,” says Veronica. “The young turtle is getting along with other species. We’re always observing the dynamics, and Azul is growing and doing just fine.”

Sun Therapy

Another pair of turtles, just like the two on exhibit, is in a separate holding facility just outside the main exhibit. Eventually, that pair will be rotated onto exhibit, and the two you see now will be moved outside. Sea turtles require occasional sun therapy to help with vitamin D absorption, making such rotations a regular occurrence. 

Having the turtles outside the main exhibit also gives aquarists an opportunity to conduct “enrichments” to keep them healthy and stimulated. This can include extracting food from a block of ice, pushing around a length of pool hose or playing with kelp strands. Aquarists have even constructed a “turtle tent” from plastic pipe that serves as a navigation challenge and a post to rub their carapace on!

Watch the turtles live on our live web cam.

laughingsquid:

Turtle

fuckyeahtattoos:

his name is Lil Crusher :)

my sister and I, while technically only “stepsisters,” have always been close. we’ve known each other since I was 6 and she was 9. we wanted to get a tattoo that meant something to the both of us. we both love turtles (I have a pretty big obsession with them, even having my own pet turtle named Squirt.) the artist we chose, Kelly Doty at Off the Map Tattoo in Easthampton, MA did a great job drawing up our idea.

if you take a look, you’ll see two sets of bubbles. the two bubbles together represent our parents. and the three bubbles together represent my sister, my brother, and me <3

nakamagome2:

“curiosity” by EunJae Im

denotational:

Mary River Turtle

allcreatures:

This turtle shows no fear as it hitches a ride on an alligator. Photographer Connie Lemperle captured the chums at play while at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Picture: Connie Lemperle/ solent (via Pictures of the day: 8 September 2011 - Telegraph)

123zero:

(via Sea Turtle and Remora by Paul Souders | WorldFoto)

allcreatures:

Rangers shell-shocked at 93kg green sea turtle’s 2600km ocean odyssey after having flipper amputated

The 93kg green sea turtle was taken to Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital after being rescued by Moreton Bay Marine Park staff last December. She had been seriously injured after becoming entangled in a crab pot float line and her left front flipper sustained such damage that it had to be amputated.

After six weeks of rehabilitation, Noel was released off Mooloolaba, with experts uncertain of her future. Fitted with a tracking device, the resilient reptile proved she could not only survive but thrive.

Since February 3, she has travelled more than 2600km, paddling around Moreton Bay before heading south to Sydney. The head of Australia Zoo’s rescue unit, Brian Coulter, said Noel was leaving many four-flippered friends in her wake.

“This is a mindblowing achievement, given she only has three flippers,” Mr Coulter said.

“It is very important research because it shows that amputee turtles can survive. Some institutions have euthanased them in the past, thinking they would not make it.”

The zoo helps to rescue and repair up to 180 turtles a year.

allcreatures:

A 90-year-old Galapagos tortoise named T3 has had a baby at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales. The baby has been named NJ. This is the first time a Galapagos tortoise has been successfully bred in captivity in Australasia. Picture: Brad Hunter

allcreatures:

A 4.5-metre-long saltwater crocodile catches a turtle at Jardine River in Cape York, Queensland, Australia. Picture: Bob Roberts

A sea turtle named Puppi swims in an enclosure in the Haus des Meeres aquarium in Vienna, Austria, on April 6, 2011.

(via In Focus: Animals in the News)

The Gulf Oil Disaster: One Year Later (from In Focus)