Tiny loggerhead turtle at Mote Marine
A baby loggerhead is being cared for at Mote Marine Laboratory after a resident of Marco Island found it in a canal. The 5 oz turtle probably hatched last year and somehow missed his ride on ocean currents that usually transport hatchlings out to sea. Stanley, the loggerhead sea turtle, is held by a caregiver at Mote Marine Laboratory, where the turtle was admitted for rehab on March 20.
Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 1:37 p.m.
SARASOTA - A tiny loggerhead sea turtle that missed its ride out to the Sargasso Sea last year has ended up at Mote Marine Laboratory.
Weighing less than five ounces, the tiny turtle was discovered in a Marco Island canal, suffering from a severe infection. After a couple weeks of treatment and a diet of shrimp and fish, the loggerhead, nicknamed Stanley, is recuperating.
The patient is among the marine hospital's most unusual.
"We have never had a rescued turtle come into our hospital during this part of its life," said Lynne Byrd, Mote's rehabilitation and medical care coordinator, in a press release.
The turtle likely hatched last year, but missed the currents to the Atlantic gyre, where most little loggerheads that hatch here spend their early lives.
When loggerheads hatch they usually scurry from their sandy nests and swim until they reach swift ocean currents that shuttle them away, along with floating mats of seaweed called sargassum. The seaweed also carries tiny fish and crustaceans that baby sea turtles eat.
Mote staff does not know why Stanley did not make it out to sea.
Hatchlings face many obstacles during their first year. Right after they hatch, artificial lights can lure them away from the ocean, toward dangerous streets. Raccoons and coyotes have also been known to intercept hatchlings on their way to the water.
Once in the water, the hatchlings fall prey to other predators. Only about 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 sea turtle hatchlings actually make it to adulthood.
Mote plans to return Stanley to the wild once he fully recovers.
"As usual, releasing the turtle will depend on making sure it's healthy enough to return to sea," wrote Mote spokesperson Hayley Rutger, in an email.
By Kate Spinner
Herald Tribune
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