Today Ari the Kemp's ridley sea turtle made her successful debut in the Giant Ocean Tank (GOT)! Thanks to all of the hundreds of people who submitted names and the thousands of you who voted for their favorite name.


Ari in her new home at the Aquarium

Ari's name has a great conservation message, because it is short for "arribada," which is the massive arrival of female sea turtles to nest. This mostly happens on the beaches of Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, and protecting these nesting areas is extremely important for the protection of the species. Now every time someone asks what Ari's name is, our educators will be able to tell that story!



Ari is such a good name, that a lot of people suggested it. Since we could only have one winner, we selected the person who gave the best description of what an arribada is. That was Sharon B., but some of the other contestants who entered this name include Jenny T., Cathy F., Carole S., Michael N., Ryan B., Helen Z., Dominika, Sam P., Melissa V., Julia, Jack and Alison P., Alex S., Aaron P., Romy M., Jake S., Jenn G., Danielle D., Cindy S., Ashlee D., Norma R., Judi O., Connie B., Junior G. and Steph. Great work, everyone!



We also received some great entries from families who came together to think of great turtle names. Thanks to Molly, Rob, Bo, Callie, Ned and Colin for sending us your entries, and we hope you have fun seeing all the turtles in the GOT during your next visit!



In the meantime, Ari is getting used to her new home, and we'll be keeping you updated on other GOT happenings.

Labels: Ari, contest winner, names, sea turtle, What's Happening

The Aquarium's new Kemp's ridley sea turtle needs a name, and we're having a contest to name her! Last week we asked turtle fans to submit their favorite sea turtle names, and this week you get to vote on which name is the best! Here's some more information about each of the names you have to choose from.


The submission box gets another name idea last week.

Ari -Vote for this name now!
Ari, short for Arribada, refers to the mass nesting reproductive strategy that is unique to this species. Every year between April and June, thousands of female Kemp's ridley sea turtles arrive at the same beach in Mexico to lay their eggs. Why they synchronize their emergence is largely unknown, but it may serve as a form of predator saturation or swamping.


An Olive ridley arribada (Photo: Michael P. Jensen / NOAA)

Cara -Vote for this name now!
Short for carapace, which is the word for the upper shell of sea turtles. The name Cara can also be linked to the late Archie Carr, whose contributions to sea turtle conservation are unsurpassed. You can learn more about the wildlife refuge named for Archie Carr here.


This photo displays the new turtle's carapace

Lulu -Vote for this name now!
Short for Louisiana, the location where this turtle stranded and was rehabilitated. Learn more about this turtle's long road to recovery here.


A Kemp's ridley distribution map showing how the range includes the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana, where the new turtle was rescued (credit: Pinpin, wikimedia commons)

Lora -Vote for this name now!
Aside from a modest number of nests in Texas, The entire population of Kemp's ridley sea turtles next on beaches in Mexico. The people of Mexico refer to these turtles as "parrot turtles" or "Tortuga Lora", for their parrot like beaks. Their beaks allow them to crack open crabs and other shell fish, which are a major component of their diet.


This photo of the new turtle show's off her beak-like head

Sunny -Vote for this name now!
Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the only species of sea turtles that nest during the day light hours.


A nesting sea turtle in south Padre Island (Photo: Jessica Lavash)

Richelle -Vote for this name now!
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle was named after Richard Kemp, a fisherman from Key West Florida who was interested in natural history. Mr. Kemp submitted the first specimen of this species for identification. "Richelle" is the feminine version of "Richard."


The new Kemp's ridley sea turtle gets a checkup at the Aquarium.

Labels: contest winner, Kemp's ridley, names, sea turtle, What's Happening

Last week we introduced you to the Giant Ocean Tank's newest Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Now you can help us name her! Enter your best turtle name on this contest page.

Labels: Kemp's ridley, names, sea turtle, What's Happening

Our visitors often ask if we name our animals. The answer is yes and no. With over 600 individual animals in the Giant Ocean Tank, it would be impossible to name them all, but we do name our sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Here are the names of some of our more prominent animals in the GOT.

Labels: Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, Many People Ask, names, sand tiger shark, sea turtle, southern sting ray, video