11
May2017
The North Carolina Aquariums and the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center released 17 rehabilitated sea turtles on April 25, 2017. The turtles were released at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and included green sea turtles, loggerheads and Kemp’s Ridley turtles. Most of the turtles came into the STAR Center this past fall and winter as cold-stunned patients. Cold-stunning ... Read More
20
Apr2017
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher recently hosted the world famous Weeki Wachee mermaids for two fun-filled weekends in March. Two sets of mermaids traveled from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Florida to meet and greet with visitors, swim with our resident fish and sea turtle, Shelldon, and share their love of aquatic environments.
In folklore, mermaids were often associated ... Read More
24
Mar2017
Today we are bringing you a bonus blog post in order to introduce to you our brand new Educator. We are so excited to have Gail join our Education team at the Aquarium:
Hello everyone! My name is Gail and I am the Visitor Experiences Coordinator—a new, full-time Education team member here at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. I ... Read More
09
Mar2017
Many organizations that promote ocean health use sea turtles to represent their cause. This is in part because of the trouble they face as endangered animals. Throughout history, many cultures adopted sea turtles as symbols for many different themes as well. Because of their long lifespan, sea turtles often symbolize patience, wisdom, endurance, and good luck. Let us work together ... Read More
09
Feb2017
You may know sea turtles love to eat jellyfish. Have you ever wondered how a sea turtle can eat a jelly without being harmed? If you’ve ever been stung by a jellyfish, you know it can be painful. Sea turtles have special adaptations to protect them from sea jelly venom called papillae.
Inside of a sea turtles mouth looks different than a humans, ... Read More
12
Jan2017
Do you like to eat seafood? One of many people’s favorites is shrimp. The shrimp industry not only provides us with delicious and nutritious food, but it is an important economic resource to North Carolina. Shrimp boats drag nets in coastal water to collect the sea creatures for food. Unfortunately, many sea turtles are also caught in the trawling nets ... Read More
08
Dec2016
You may be familiar with the sea turtle species native to the North Carolina coast, including the loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley, hawksbill, and leatherback. Yet there are actually two other species: the olive ridley and the flatback. This makes a total of 7 sea turtle species and all are threatened or endangered.
If you live on the western coast of the ... Read More
10
Nov2016
On October 19, 2016, two loggerhead sea turtles were released to the Atlantic Ocean after receiving care for more than a year at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The hatchlings arrived in August 2015 weighing approximately 3 ounces, about the size of an Oreo cookie. The turtles served as animal ambassadors, bringing to light the many hardships sea turtles face ... Read More