Baltimore Aquarium/ Green Sea Turtle

Taken at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD on May 1, 2008. From the aquarium website:

These turtles are well-suited to a life at sea. The shells of sea turtles are lighter and more hydrodynamic than the shells of turtles that live on land, allowing them to glide easily through water.

Because their feet have evolved into flippers, sea turtles are able to swim long distances.

Adult male sea turtles live their entire lives at sea. But females return to land—to the same beach where they were born—once every two years or so to lay their eggs.

Unlike other turtles, sea turtles are unable to pull their heads (or appendages) into their shells.

Green sea turtles have a serrated beak for tearing vegetation. The vegetarian diet gives their fat a greenish color, which is how the green sea turtle got its name.

Aquarist's Note: When visiting the Aquarium, you'll notice that our Green sea turtle is missing a front flipper.

Our turtle was rescued by the Riverhead Marine Foundation off Long Island, New York. It was cold-stunned and its left front flipper was severely infected.

The Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program (MARP) was called upon to provide treatment. MARP determined that the flipper must be amputated to save the turtle's life.

Because it might not survive in the wild, MARP obtained a special permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service so that the Aquarium could provide the animal with a permanent home.

The turtle adapted to life in the exhibit and visitors will see that it is very active, in spite of the missing flipper.

Diet: Juvenile Green sea turtles are carnivorous, feeding on jellyfish and other invertebrates.

As adults, however, greens are the only herbivorous (vegetarian) sea turtle, feeding on sea grasses and algae.

At the Aquarium, our green sea turtle is fed romaine lettuce, gel food made from algae, and a balanced mixture of essential vitamins and minerals.

Size: With a shell length of 3½ feet (1 m) and weighing up to nearly 400 pounds (180 kg), Green sea turtles are second in size only to the behemoth Leatherback sea turtle.

Range: Green sea turtles are found in all tropical and subtropical seas along the coasts of continents and islands.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• aquatic
• reptile
• wildlife

[ronny4ever123]

@DayNiteRaka Lol, I remember when I went there as a kid, it always scared the living shit out of me.

[Wolfrunner326]

The turtle is always a pain in the neck to find, but it's always worth it when you do :D

[Mkato320]

The illustrious human feeds everyone!

[advenger32]

i have a red eared slide turtle

[Elmorro684]

yo estube ahi con mi hija y mi esposa y esta hermoso el acuario me gusto mucho y esq era el cumplea~os de mi bebe ya antes habia ido una vez

[myjuto369]

im going there for my birthday!!!!!

[beachbum54391]

glad to hear you all enjoyed your stay at the Aquarium, come again soon! :D

[chaneynpatty]

that was my fav part to..it was awsome

[pianoburner]

Ican has lettuce

[DayNiteRaka]

That's one of my favorite parts about that aquarium. Seeing that tank with all the sting rays in it from above, going up the escalator.