Aqua Kids meet Mote turtles

Huddled in a circle in one of Mote Marine Laboratory’s education rooms, the Aqua Kids were ready to make a new friend.

Camp instructor Kylie Gray introduced them to Sam, one of the turtles who resides in a tank in the room. Sam is not a sea turtle, he’s a dry land turtle.

When each camper had taken a turn gently petting Sam, Gray put him back and let the campers explore the other tanks in the room. Booger and Homer, two other turtles, were popular.

Campers put their fingers up to the tanks and giggled as the turtles touched their noses to the other side of the tank.

After acquainting themselves with the other turtles, the campers circled up again while Gray showed them a loggerhead turtle shell.

The Aqua Kids camp is open to those entering third through fifth grade. Throughout the week campers explored animal relationships and learned how the ocean and outer space are connected.