- SEA LIFE, Ocean Tunnel
Turtles are ancient reptiles that have been around for over 200 million years!
Meaning they shared our planet with the earliest Dinosaurs.
There are over 300 species of Turtle in our oceans and rivers today. There are seven species of Sea Turtles – some are critically endangered! They are hunted for their beautiful shells and eggs, and often caught in fishing nets or plastic litter.
Green Sea Turtles
Turtles are reptiles. They have to breathe air and are often seen coming to the surface to fill their lungs. They can hold their breath for many hours at a time if they are not stressed, for example when they go to sleep.
Meet Ernie
We have a magnificent giant green sea turtle named Ernie. He lives in our tropical ocean tank - say hello as he swims by!
- Green sea turtles can live for up to 80 years!
- Ernie is target-trained, meaning he has a specific area in the tank to go to when his target is dropped into the water at feeding time
- Green sea turtles get their name from the colour of their skin in the wild which is green due to the amount of seaweed they eat. Here, we feed them a tasty diet of lettuce, broccoli and sprouts
Long way home
- Turtles take long migrations between their feeding grounds and the beaches where they lay their eggs
- The temperature of the sand in which a Sea Turtle's eggs are buried determines what gender they will be. If it's warmer they'll be girls, cooler and they'll be boys!
Breed, rescue, protect
SEA LIFE rescues, rehabilitates and releases many Sea Turtles each year which have been injured or lost their way.
Giant green sea turtles are endangered in the wild. SEA LIFE has developed a BREED, RESCUE, PROTECT programme to help support species like sea turtles. Find out more about how SEA LIFE Manchester support this below.
Plastic bags
Plastic bags are deadly to Sea Turtles which often mistaking them for their favourite food, Jellyfish, and choke on them.
