The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab

🐢 What Should You Do If You Find a Sick, Injured, or Sea Turtle in Distress?

Seeing a sea turtle that appears sick or injured can be alarming, and your first instinct may be to help. While your concern comes from a good place, the best thing you can do is report it to the experts.

Sea turtles are protected by state and federal law, and only organizations that are permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are authorized to respond to, transport, and rehabilitate them. At the Sea Turtle Hospital, our team operates under these permits and works closely with FWC and the Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) to ensure every patient receives the appropriate care.

When a sea turtle strands, there is much more involved than simply bringing it to a rehabilitation facility. Each stranding is carefully documented, the turtle is assigned a unique stranding identification number, and trained responders perform an initial assessment before determining the best course of action. This information helps biologists monitor sea turtle populations, identify threats, and improve conservation efforts across Florida.

If you encounter a sea turtle in distress:
Keep a safe distance and allow the turtle plenty of space.
Note your location and observe the turtle's condition from afar.
Report the turtle immediately by calling the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or your local permitted sea turtle stranding organization.
Do not attempt to push the turtle back into the water, feed it, or transport it yourself unless specifically instructed by authorized responders.

By making the call, you're giving that turtle the best possible chance at recovery while also helping scientists and conservationists protect Florida's sea turtles for generations to come.

Every report matters. Every turtle matters. And together, we can make a difference. 💚

🔬🐢 Science Sunday 🐢🔬

We're celebrating some exciting news from our co-workers here at the Whitney Laboratory!

Congratulations to Liao Lab Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Ishani Mukherjee and Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Daniele Pinton, along with Dr. Alberto Canestrelli (NSF Grant Co-PI, UF Civil and Coastal Engineering), for being recognized as Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Spotlights in the June issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology!

The latest issue highlights two of the Liao Lab's research papers while also featuring Dr. Mukherjee and Dr. Pinton as they share their scientific journeys, research interests, and the paths that led them to careers in science.

At the Sea Turtle Hospital, we're proud to be part of the Whitney Laboratory community, where innovative research and conservation work go hand in hand. Scientific discoveries made by researchers across our campus continue to expand our understanding of marine life and help shape the future of conservation.

Congratulations to Dr. Mukherjee, Dr. Pinton, Dr. Canestrelli, and the entire Liao Lab on this well-deserved recognition! We can't wait to see what discoveries come next. 💚

https://www.whitney.ufl.edu/news--events/news/whitney-articles/2026/liao-lab-jeb-spotlight.html

🎁💚 Shout Out Saturday! 💚🎁

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who celebrated Christmas in July with our Sea Turtle Hospital family!

This week felt like Christmas morning as our staff gathered each day to open the wonderful packages arriving from our Amazon Wishlist. From essential medical supplies to everyday husbandry items, every single gift helps us provide the best possible care to our sea turtle patients.

Your generosity allows our team to spend less time worrying about supplies and more time focusing on what matters most—rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles with the goal of returning them to the wild.

Whether you purchased a small item or a larger piece of equipment, please know that your gift is already making a difference behind the scenes. We are incredibly grateful for your support and for being part of our mission to give every sea turtle a second chance.

From all of us—and especially our patients—thank you for making our Christmas in July celebration so special! 🐢🎄💙

🎁💚 Shout Out Saturday! 💚🎁

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who celebrated Christmas in July with our Sea Turtle Hospital family!

This week felt like Christmas morning as our staff gathered each day to open the wonderful packages arriving from our Amazon Wishlist. From essential medical supplies to everyday husbandry items, every single gift helps us provide the best possible care to our sea turtle patients.

Your generosity allows our team to spend less time worrying about supplies and more time focusing on what matters most—rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles with the goal of returning them to the wild.

Whether you purchased a small item or a larger piece of equipment, please know that your gift is already making a difference behind the scenes. We are incredibly grateful for your support and for being part of our mission to give every sea turtle a second chance.

From all of us—and especially our patients—thank you for making our Christmas in July celebration so special! 🐢🎄💙

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AOSBYJAI60CB/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1?content_source=fb&fb_content_id=Q9-wBQE5EPBrQJTfTUURc5p8Hz8Infotkh0540cVXF5TjHkN4OvovG_OrY6_AAaIGg&channel_type=fb&fbclid=IwY2xjawTPYIVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtMVhxbDJtVXFvbU9IbDBoc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl0IhKeQa1qKreRooySks5eNxcjR7R3aX5w_QhV2WhuiAs4kllrr8XvYb9rK_aem_09q_l2qnKl666gVOL4lM7w

🌡️🐢 Did You Know? The Temperature of a Sea Turtle Nest Helps Determine Whether Hatchlings Are Male or Female!

Unlike humans, sea turtles don't have s*x chromosomes. Instead, the temperature of the sand surrounding their eggs during incubation determines whether the hatchlings develop as males or females, a process known as temperature-dependent s*x determination.

Cooler nest temperatures (generally below about 82°F/28°C) tend to produce more male hatchlings.

Warmer nest temperatures (generally above about 88°F/31°C) tend to produce more female hatchlings.

Temperatures in between can produce a mix of both s*xes, with the middle third of incubation being the most critical period for determining s*x.

As our climate continues to warm, scientists are monitoring nesting beaches closely. Warmer sand temperatures can lead to heavily female-biased hatchling populations, raising important questions about the future of sea turtle conservation. Fortunately, sea turtles have survived changing climates for millions of years, and researchers continue to study how nesting behavior, nesting timing, and beach selection may help these incredible animals adapt.

Every nest plays an important role in the future of sea turtle populations, reminding us just how connected these animals are to the health of our beaches and our planet. 💚🌎

📸: Mickler's Landing Turtle Patrol

🚨New Patient Alert!🚨

Our newest patient arrived this past Wednesday as a transfer from SeaWorld Orlando, and they have quite a unique story!

Whenever a sea turtle strands, a detailed report is completed and submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This stranding report documents when and where the turtle was found, along with the reason for stranding and other important medical information. The report is entered into the FWC database, and every stranded sea turtle in Florida is assigned a unique stranding identification number.

As it turns out, Roly-Poly was originally triaged here at our hospital back in March during this year's cold-stun event. Because this turtle was not suffering from fibropapillomatosis (FP), they were transferred to SeaWorld Orlando for continued rehabilitation.

During a routine veterinary examination this week, however, the early stages of FP tumors were identified. Since SeaWorld Orlando is not permitted to rehabilitate sea turtles with FP, this little turtle was transferred back to our hospital, where our team specializes in treating the disease.

We decided to name this patient Roly-Poly because they rolled right back into our care!

🎄🐢 Wishlist Wednesday: Christmas in July for Our Sea Turtle Patients! 🐢🎄

Our patients have been extra good all year long, so why not celebrate them with a little Christmas in July?

At the Sea Turtle Hospital, every item we use plays an important role in providing care for our patients, from daily husbandry supplies and enrichment items to tools that help support their recovery and rehabilitation.

This Wishlist Wednesday, we’re inviting our amazing supporters to help spread some holiday cheer by gifting items from our Amazon Wishlist. Each purchase helps our team provide the best possible care for the sea turtles currently in rehabilitation and supports our ultimate goal: helping every releasable patient return home to the ocean.

Whether it’s a small item or something bigger, every contribution makes a difference. Your generosity helps provide the supplies our patients need as they heal, grow stronger, and prepare for their journey back to the wild.

🎅🐢 Help us make this Christmas in July one our turtles won’t forget! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AOSBYJAI60CB/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

Have you ever wondered how sea turtles know where to go in the vast ocean? These incredible animals have an amazing ability to navigate through thousands of miles of open water using clues from the natural world around them.

Sea turtles use a combination of the Earth’s magnetic field, ocean currents, waves, sunlight, and other environmental cues to help guide their journeys. Scientists believe that sea turtles can sense the unique magnetic “signature” of different locations, almost like having their own built-in GPS!

For many species, this navigation ability is especially important when it comes time to reproduce. Female sea turtles often return to the same region where they were born to lay their own eggs, a behavior called natal homing.

Many of our patients are receiving care because their journey through the ocean was interrupted by injury, illness, or human impacts. Our goal is to provide the medical care they need so they can continue their incredible journeys back into the wild.

From tiny hatchlings beginning their first adventure to adult turtles traveling across entire ocean basins, every sea turtle has a story written across the waves.

When you look at a sea turtle, one of the first things you notice is its beautiful shell but did you know a sea turtle’s carapace (top shell) is actually a living part of its body?

A sea turtle’s shell is made up of bones covered by a layer of keratin called scutes (the large plates you see on the outside). Unlike a crab’s shell or a seashell found on the beach, a sea turtle cannot leave its shell behind or grow a new one. Their shell grows with them and is connected to their spine and rib cage, providing protection and support throughout their lives.

Because the shell is living tissue, injuries to the carapace can be serious. Our patients arrive at the UF Whitney Laboratory Sea Turtle Hospital with a variety of shell-related injuries, including boat strikes, predator bites, infections, and damage caused by marine debris. Healing can take time and often requires specialized wound care, medications, diagnostics, and lots of veterinary support.

Every scar tells a story and every healed shell represents the incredible resilience of these animals and the dedication of the teams working to give them a second chance.

🔬🐢 Science Sunday: Healing with Therapeutic Laser Therapy 🐢🔬

At the Sea Turtle Hospital, every patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their specific injuries and needs. One tool we use to support the healing process is therapeutic laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation.

Unlike surgical lasers that cut tissue, therapeutic lasers use specific wavelengths of light to pe*****te the skin and underlying tissues. This light energy stimulates cells, increasing circulation, reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and encouraging the body's natural healing processes. The treatment is completely non-invasive, making it an excellent addition to traditional medical care.

We're currently using therapeutic laser treatments on one of our patients, Honeybee, who is recovering from an infection affecting the carapace (shell). While the laser doesn't directly kill bacteria or replace medications, it helps create an environment that supports tissue repair, decreases inflammation, and promotes healthy healing alongside antibiotics, wound care, and regular veterinary monitoring.

Because sea turtle shells are living tissue made up of bone, blood vessels, nerves, and keratin, injuries to the carapace can take weeks or even months to heal. Treatments like therapeutic laser therapy help us give patients like Honeybee the best possible chance for a full recovery and, ultimately, a return to the wild.

Every patient teaches us something new, and advances in rehabilitation techniques continue to improve the care we can provide for injured and sick sea turtles.

We're cheering Honeybee on every step of the way!

🌊🐢 Shout Out Saturday! 🐢🌊

This week, we're giving a huge thank you to St. Johns County Beaches for helping keep our coastline clean and healthy for both people and wildlife!

Throughout the month of July, St. Johns County is celebrating Parks and Recreation Month with a Beach Cleanup Program. Every piece of trash removed from our shoreline makes a difference. Marine debris can entangle sea turtles, seabirds, and other coastal wildlife or be mistaken for food, leading to serious injuries or even death. By spending just a few minutes picking up litter during your beach visit, you're helping protect the incredible animals that call our beaches home.

🚯 Beach Cleanup Bags

Don't forget about the month-long beach cleanup program running throughout July! Stop by the Beach Services Office (901 Pope Road, St. Augustine) or the Pier Gift Shop (350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine) to pick up a cleanup bag (filled with goodies!) to collect any trash you see left behind on our beaches.

Thank you for helping keep St. Johns County's beaches clean and beautiful for both wildlife and our community. Every bag of litter collected helps make a difference!

💙 Thank you, St. Johns County Beaches, for inspiring our community to protect the places we all love.



📸: SJC Beaches