82 sea turtles hatch at Sea World
SeaWorld in San Diego is home to 82 baby sea turtles. Marine experts at the park discovered the newly hatched sea turtles Oct. 5, and the hatching continued for nearly two weeks, officials said.
The newest turtles are the offspring of sea turtles that have been in the park's care for more than three decades, they said.
“These recent hatchings are exciting for us,” said Thad Dirksen, curator of fishes at SeaWorld, in a statement. “It’s unusual to have sea turtles hatch in a zoological environment. And this time marked the first time we’ve done so without assisting the eggs through incubation. “
The turtles measured about 3 inches in length and weighed just more than half an ounce at hatching. They eat a diet of squid, krill, shrimp and special turtle pellets.
The growth rate for sea turtles varies depending on diet, but generally a sea turtle will not reach adulthood until about 20 years old.
Some of the young reptiles may go on public display before the end of the year.
Photo: Sea turtles that hatched recently at SeaWorld in San Diego. Credit: SeaWorld
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