It's Turtle Time
Turtles are ancient reptiles that have been around for over 200 million years! They shared our planet with the earliest dinosaurs.
There are over 300 species of turtle in our oceans and rivers today and some are critically endangered! They are hunted for their beautiful shells and eggs, and often caught in fishing nets or more destructive fishing practices.
Green sea turtles can be found in subtropical and tropical seas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean… and you can see our green sea turtle Gertrude right here in our Ocean Exhibit at SEA LIFE Kansas City!
When they are young, green sea turtles feed on crabs, sponges and jellies. However, adults become completely herbivorous; eating only sea grass and algae which turns the fat inside their body bright green! That’s how they got their name.
Turtles are reptiles so 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.
Plastic bags are deadly to sea turtles because they mistake them for their favorite food, jellies, and choke on them.
SEA LIFE aquariums around the world rescue and rehabilitate many injured or sick sea turtles each year.
Find Out More
The temperature of the sand in which a sea turtle's eggs are buried determines what gender they will be. If the sand is warmer, they'll be girls. In cooler sand, they'll be boys!
Meet KC!
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a rescued sea turtle! A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the most critically endangered sea turtle species, flew across the country to its forever home at SEA LIFE Kansas City. The sea turtle took flight on Wednesday August 6, 2025, provided by Turtles Fly Too, which is a non-profit dedicated to the transport of endangered species, especially sea turtles. The turtle earned its wings by flying more than 1,000 miles from Baltimore to SEA LIFE Kansas City and now is Missouri’s only permanent resident Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.
The sea turtle had quite the journey before its long flight. Initially, the sea turtle was found off the coast of Virginia Beach on May 8, 2023, and brought into the Virgina Aquarium & Marine Science Center by a fisherman as they knew the sea turtle had ingested the fishing hook. After the x-ray and dehooking procedure, the sea turtle was deemed unreleasable and sent to National Aquarium in Baltimore for further rehabilitation. While the turtle was in residence at National Aquarium, it received attentive care from the Animal Rescue and Animal Health teams. The arthritis in her front flippers prevented her from passing her swim test, and it was determined that the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle needed to remain under human care and supervision. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was then put up for adoption and SEA LIFE Kansas City couldn’t wait to adopt this amazing sea turtle and make the Aquarium its forever home.
The arrival of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is extra special both for SEA LIFE Kansas City and Missouri. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the most endangered species of sea turtles, and this is the first time SEA LIFE Kansas City has had this species. It will also be Missouri’s only permanent resident Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. The endangered sea turtle will join Lou and Gertrude, both green sea turtles, who are also rescued sea turtles who live at the Aquarium.
Meet Lou!
Lou is a very special green sea turtle who was rescued off the coast of Florida in 2017. He is curious and very active! You can easily spot Lou because of his “saddle-shaped” carapace (or “shell”) and the way he floats toward the water’s surface. We are unsure of the causes behind Lou’s condition, as x-ray scans show no sign of boat strike or other injury from the wild. It’s very plausible that Lou was born this way. Lou was determined to be non releasable by the Gulf World Institute, and joined us at SEA LIFE Kansas City in 2019 where he continues to live a happy and healthy life. Lou loves swimming & taking a closer look at all of his many visitors. You can often find him scratching his shell on rocks and corals, or enjoying "dry time" on a Behind The Scenes Tour!
Meet Gertrude!
Gertrude is a rescued Green Sea Turtle who has called SEA LIFE Kansas City home since winter 2013. Gertrude was found wrapped up in fishing line off the coast of Florida and was rescued by our friends at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2011. The fishing line caused severe damage to both front flippers and required one of her flippers to be amputated. Through the diligent care and rehabilitation of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff, Gertrude was nursed back to health! Though fully healed, Gertrude would be unable to safely return to the wild.
In 2013, Gertrude made her way to SEA LIFE Kansas City to live out a safe, happy and healthy life. Thanks to the staff at SEA LIFE Kansas City, Clearwater Marine Aquarium as well as Southwest Airlines, Gertrude safely completed the journey from Florida to the heart of Kansas City. SEA LIFE Kansas City is thrilled to have her!
You'll find Gertrude swimming around our Ocean Exhibit! Be sure to come say hello and "sea" her soon!
