BABY STUFF

A second clip of the post hatchlings taking their first bites. This is the first feeding for the baby leatherbacks in the FAU research building located at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, Florida. Jeanette Wyneken is the lead researcher for the gender studies with the sea turtle hatchlings. It is so rare to see these little turtles, I hope you enjoy. The food in the undergrad’s hand is hard to make out as it is white like the tank and her glove. The food is a mixture jellyfish and other proteins made into a soft solid which they take to readily. The post-hatchlings are only in the study until they are large enough to determine which gender they will be. The tethers are temporary and keep the hatchling from coming in contact with the walls of the tank. When leatherback hatchlings are not participating in research studies they swim in the open ocean. Because there are no natural solid walls in the open ocean most blue water creatures do not recognize barriers. The leatherback hatchlings do not recognize walls and would continue swimming into the sides of the tank. The leashes (tethers) prevent the hatchlings from injuring themselves on the tank walls. They allow the hatchlings to swim and dive as much as they like.