Meet real sea turtles in this exciting exhibit focused on turtle conservation and science. Sea turtles outlived their contemporaries, the dinosaurs, but they need our help to survive today. Come discover what traits helped sea turtles triumph in the past, the challenges they face today, and how we can all help.
Here, you can learn about Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program, which has monitored local sea turtle nesting for more than 40 years, and discover how we tag turtles to track their migrations. You can also learn about our Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, where we treat sick turtles so they can go home again to the ocean.
Our sea turtles can't wait to sea you when you visit Mote Aquarium!
Meet the sea turtles
Hang Tough
Ancient Survivors features Hang Tough, a blind green turtle that came to Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital in 1992 with severe head injuries that damaged both optic nerves. We helped Hang Tough recover, but due to blindness, this animal cannot survive in the wild. Mote is honored to provide this ancient survivor with a lifelong home and the support needed to thrive. Mote's animal care experts have spent many hours helping Hang Tough learn to navigate this specially designed habitat.
Montego & Shelley
Montego and Shelley are adult female loggerhead sea turtles born in North Carolina in 1977. They were raised in human care and participated in growth and mating studies. When those studies ended, Montego and Shelley (who were named in an essay contest for school children) came to Mote to help educate the public about sea turtles.
Squirt 2
Squirt 2 is a Kemp's ridley sea turtle who was found floating in the Peace River in Punta Gorda, Florida, on April 29, 2015. Squirt 2 was struck by a boat propeller and had long-standing wounds that were healing when the turtle arrived at Mote. However, these wounds have caused permanent damage, and Squirt 2 is unable to forage for appropriate prey, especially crabs that are important in a Kemp’s ridley turtle’s diet. For this reason, wildlife officials deemed the turtle non-releasable, and requested that Mote provide Squirt 2 with long-term care. This turtle is Mote’s second “Squirt”; the first was successfully rehabilitated and released.
Hatchling Hospital
Sea turtles nest on Gulf of Mexico beaches from May through October. Sometimes the hatchlings emerging from these nests need a little extra help—that's where the Hatchling Hospital comes in. Hatchlings that may need a few days to weeks of medical care are treated in this special hospital and then returned to the wild when they are healthy—giving wild populations a boost.
Thanks to our supporters
Sea Turtles: Ancient Survivors was made possible by a generous donation from Mote Volunteer Penelope Kingman in honor of her husband, Barry J. Kingman, who was also a Mote Volunteer, and through a grant from the Sea Turtle Grants Program, which is funded from proceeds from the sale of the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate. Get your Florida Sea Turtle License Plate online at: helpingseaturtles.org
Did you know?
You can adopt a sea turtle at Mote! Your symbolic adoption directly benefits Mote Aquarium and the animals inside it.