Adopt A Sea Turtle (Hatchling)

By adopting a sea turtle hatchling from Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, you are directly supporting the care of these hatchlings and are contributing to the Gumbo Limbo Sea Turtle Conservation Program. These conservation efforts improve to the overall population of these endangered sea turtles, and helps to create a healthier ecosystem for all coastal and marine life.

Sea Turtle Hatchlings on Boca Raton's Beaches

Every year, Boca Raton gets hundreds of sea turtle nests between March and November from three species; loggerheads, greens, and leatherbacks. All three of these species are found on the endangered species list. When a nest hatches on our local beach, Gumbo Limbo's Marine Turtle Specialists place special marks on the nest and three days later, excavate the nest to document important details of the hatchout. Sometimes, while excavating, the Marine Turtle Specialists find live hatchlings. These hatchlings are taken back to Gumbo Limbo where they are either released on the beach that same night, or put in a “swimmer” tank and released by boat on the weed line in the Gulf Stream.

Some costs at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility include:

$5 Feeds 100 hatchlings for the day
$15 Daily maintenance for hatchling swimmer tanks.
$25 Supplies for marking 100 nests on the beach
$50 Screens and pepper to deter predators from nests.

What do YOU get?

Choose: Leatherback, Loggerhead, or Green

• An adoption certificate for the sea turtle hatchling of your choice, which you may name!
• A letter from the adopted sea turtle hatchling.
• A magnet of your sea turtle hatchling!
• Informational brochures about Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and our conservation program.
• Additional conservational materials as supplies last.
• A marker sign used to identify a REAL sea turtle nest.

Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing and delivery of your adoption packet. 

Disclaimer: Turtle adoptions are symbolic. All adopted animals remain in the care of Gumbo Limbo and no ownership rights are granted through the Adopt a Sea Turtle program. You are prohibited from touching, feeding or any other hands-on interaction of any sea turtles.