Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center

06/01/2026

Happy June! Introducing our Turtle of the Month!

Stone is a red-eared slider native to the Mississippi Valley from Illinois extending to the Gulf. However, due to the pet trade, they are overabundant and even invasive to much of the southeast.

In the wild, red-eared sliders hunt fish, frogs, and other small creatures that dwell in the water. They will occasionally munch on leafy greens or algae.

Here at the Center, Stone gets a taste of the wild! She loves to hunt minnows that we add to her tank. In animal husbandry terms, this is called enrichment - mental and physical stimulation that encourages natural behavior.

Come visit Stone and her Testudine family at the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center!

05/25/2026

05/11/2026

While serving on detachment at Tyndall Air Force Base, Squadron VAQ-209 Sailors from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington State took time out of their busy schedule to perform some community service at the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center in Port St. Joe. They assisted with a variety of projects to aid our resident turtle ambassadors and improve our facility. We extend our greatest thanks to this wonderful group for their service!

05/01/2026

Introducing our Turtle of the Month:

Ray for May!🍉🐢

Raylan (aka Ray) is an African Spurred Tortoise native to the African savannas. This species gets its name from the large scales on the front of their limbs and spurs on each thigh. They can weigh over 100 lbs and potentially live to be over 100 years old. This year, Raylan will be 14 years old but already weighs about 75 lbs!

Living in the plains, spurred tortoises mostly consume grasses. In captivity, Ray gets loads of hay, leafy greens, and veggies. He has fruit as an occasional treat! Red watermelon is one of his favorites.

Come visit the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center to see Raylan as well as learn about our sea turtle nesting season, which begins today!

04/20/2026

The Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center will be closed on Tuesday, April 21st. We will resume regular business hours on Wednesday, April 22nd.

04/02/2026

Introducing our April Tortoise of the Month
🌦️🍎

Scarlett is a Red Footed Tortoise native to South American rainforests. She’s about 8 years old, and will live to be about 60. She loves apples and hibiscus flowers.

Scarlett is a fantastic example of the resilience of a tortoise’s shell. Before her home at the Turtle Center, Scarlett was kept in poor conditions with inadequate lighting. Therefore, her shell was susceptible to complications. Scarlett developed a fungal infection on her plastron (bottom shell). A two inch area became soft and discolored. After a visit to the vet and weeks of treatment from our volunteer team, Scarlett’s plastron healed and hardened. She enjoys lots of sunlight as well as clean indoor and outdoor enclosures at the Center.

Come visit Scarlett, her sister Ruby, and our other turtle ambassadors at the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center!

03/02/2026

Happy March, and introducing our Tortoise of the Month!

One lucky tortoise! 🍀

Shiloh is an Elongated Tortoise native to Malaysia. About 7 years ago, Shiloh was in a fire... but luckily, he was saved! Damage was done to his shell and toes, but he has healed wonderfully thanks to his excellent veterinary care! He’s not in any pain or discomfort - just looks a little different.

Males of his species can rush blood to their nose to better smell females. Sometimes, Shiloh’s nose is bright pink!

Come visit Shiloh and our other residents at the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center!

02/01/2026

Happy February!❄️ Introducing our resident Turtle Ambassador of the month:

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?💛

He’s right here at the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center! 🐢

Romeo is a full grown, Yellow Footed Tortoise native to the rain forests of South America. He loves fruit, especially raspberries.

Visit Romeo at the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center, and adopt him for your Valentine! All of our residents are available for symbolic adoption. ❤️💋🌹

01/13/2026

Welcome to 2026! This year we'll be introducing our resident Turtle Ambassador of the Month!🐢

Meet Raylan: he is a 13 year old African Spurred Tortoise, weighing 70 lbs. He will live to be approximately 100 years old and may weigh 100 lbs or more.

One of Raylan's favorite snacks are collard greens! It's said that eating collards brings good luck for the new year. If there's any truth to it, Raylan is one lucky tortoise!

Visit the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center to learn more about Raylan and his reptile companions!

12/08/2025

We can’t wait to see you this week🐢🎁