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| Ari the Kemp's ridley turtle breaks the surface for a breath |
Seeing a turtle break the surface to breathe is an interesting way to connect with these giant reptiles. They are the only air breathers inside the exhibit—like us!—so they must return to the surface every now and then for a gulp of oxygen.
But here's something you don't usually see. This is what it looks like from the divers' perspective! Retread—our blind, rescued sea turtle—bumbles her way to the surface for a breath of fresh air.
Sea turtles breathe air into and out of their lungs through their nose and mouth. Our large turtles can hold their breath for several hours when they're resting (don't worry, that motionless sea turtle wedged in the coral is just napping).
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| Zzzzz. This motionless turtle at the bottom of the tank is taking a nice, cozy nap. |
When they're active for feeding or checking on the divers in the tank, the turtles breathe more frequently. Try standing at the top of the GOT for a spell and see if you can see all four sea turtles!
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| Retread (loggerhead) and Myrtle (green) |
The turtles (justifiably) get a lot of time of the blog. Check out these posts for more sea turtle awesomeness!
- Myrtle goes green with her own CSA
- Follow the vet during "wet rounds" when she checks on a turtle and other animals underwater
- And here's what a visit to the vet looks like above the water line
- Watch the loggerhead sea turtles eat
- Loggerhead breakfast time (photos)
- The turtles don't go without their meals even on snow days
- Learn what our partners in Quincy are doing to rehabilitate wild sea turtles
Great look at sea turtles here! They're fascinating creatures and seem to be enjoying their stay at the aquarium here.
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