WORLD SEA TURTLE DAY
JUNE 16, 2017
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Did you know that sea turtles are one of the world's
most ancient creatures? They have been around since the
dinosaurs, approximately 110 million years. Their shell, or
"carapace," is streamlined for swimming and unlike other
turtles, sea turtles cannot retract their legs and head into their
shells. Depending on the species, their color varies between yellow,
greenish and black.
Dr. Allison Tuttle, Vice President of Biological
Programs at Mystic Aquarium, tells us that "sea turtles are a
group of animals that could be heavily affected by global climate
change. Because the sex of sea turtles is determined by the
temperature at which their eggs incubate, warming trends could affect
single sex populations; posing yet another
strike against these amazing animals. Currently sea
turtles face a number of threats including poaching (adults and
eggs), habitat loss, marine debris (especially plastics), as well as
fisheries and human interaction. Six of the seven marine turtle
species are classified as threatened with extinction by the IUCN
List of Threatened Species."
Evidence of human interaction can be found right here at
Mystic Aquarium. Come visit and meet Charlotte, Mystic
Aquarium's resident green sea turtle, and find out about his journey.
"Charlotte is actually a male so I now call him Charlie.
He is at the Aquarium because he was struck by a boat, and as a
result is now a floater, which means he is unable to dive properly.
Charlie would not survive in the ocean and was declared
non-releasable" says Dr. Tuttle.
Do you tail us on social media?
Talk turtles with Aquarist Steph Shannon June 16 at 8:30am
on Facebook Live.
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There's a New Sea Lion Show
Also, follow us on Snapchat@Mystic_Aquarium June 19,
for a first person perspective of the new California Sea Lion Show.
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 What's your sea animal personality?
Ever wonder what kind of Mystic Aquarium animal
you would be? Take this personality quiz to find out! And, be entered to win a family
4-pack of tickets to Mystic Aquarium, courtesy of Swedish Fish!
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Re-use paper and cloth
bags
When shopping, each American uses an average of 350
plastic bags per year. Many of these bags end up in streams, rivers
and oceans, killing as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures each
year. Here are a few tips to stop the plastic bag habit:
- Opt
for paper over plastic.
- Re-use
paper or plastic shopping bags, including the bags used for
fruits and veggies.
- Bring
your own reusable grocery bags when shopping.
- Don't
limit reusable bag use to the grocery store; grab fashionable
reusable bags for your trip to the mall.
- Find
a local plastic shopping bag recycling program to dispose of
unwanted plastic bags.
- Re-use
paper or cloth grocery bags when shopping, and utilize shopping
bag recycling programs to dispose of unwanted plastic bags.
Fun and affordable reusable bags are available at the
Aquarium store!
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Membership:
Sea Change
Unlimited visits are great. Free 4-D is quite a perk.
Clean oceans are life-giving. The benefits of a Mystic Aquarium
membership are far-reaching. We seek change through
conservation, education and research. You sea change with your membership.
Click
here to join now!
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As always, we
invite you to
SEA More every day at Mystic Aquarium!
Be sure to check out all the great events we have
planned!
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Mystic
Aquarium's Corporate Sponsors
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The mission of
Mystic Aquarium is to inspire people to care for and protect our
ocean planet through conservation, education and research.
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Mystic Aquarium | 55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT
| 860.572.5955
TAIL US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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