Kim here! Brittany didn’t think this story was too funny because of Turt’s bad behavior, but I couldn’t resist sharing it with you.

You see, while our staff never assumed it would be easy to grow seagrass, there is one particular challenge they didn’t foresee: an eighty-five pound green sea turtle named Turt.

Apparently, Turt has a mischievous side. For the last few weeks, ever since the seagrasses planted in the Outdoor Wet Lab section of the Game Fish Lagoon (which is separated from the main lagoon by a wall) took off, the staff at Florida Oceanographic has become quite particular with a certain distress call over the radio. It seems to happen most often just as Aquarium Staff Brittany and Max are sitting down to lunch.

"Turt’s over the wall again.”

Unfortunately for the seagrass (and the scientists tirelessly working on the best methods of seagrass restoration), it happens to be Turt’s favorite snack. Seagrass is one of the primary food sources for Green Sea Turtles – but no one thought it would be an issue here considering there is a wall separating Turt from his afternoon snack.

I happened to catch Turt's great escape first hand while exiting the nature trail last week. Turt swam right up to the wall and began what looked like a little dance, placing one flipper on the wall and then the next, swaying side to side as he tried to make his way over. I radioed Max (yes, I ratted Turt out), and Turt backed off and pretended to be on perfect behavior by the time Max arrived.

For now, Brittany has switched Turt over to multiple smaller feedings throughout the day to try and deter his trips over the wall. It seems to be helping, but if you see a wily green sea turtle munching on a research project the next time you’re at the Coastal Center, you’ll know it’s Turt!

Hope to see you soon,

Kim