Tater Tot

Species: Hawksbill sea turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata)

Arrival Date: November 22, 2020
Stranding Location: Palm Beach, FL

Initial Weight: .46 lbs.
Current Weight: 1.5 lbs.

Issue: Washback, Buoyancy Disorder

Tater Tot is a juvenile hawksbill sea turtle that was found washed ashore in Palm Beach. The turtle has a buoyancy disorder, neurological dysfunction in its hind flippers, and old trauma to its right front flipper. Tater Tot’s gastrointestinal tract is moderately distended, and the turtle has passed feces with plastic contents. Tater Tot is being treated for its presenting conditions and we are monitoring the turtle’s progress carefully.

PROGRESS KEY:

Good Condition
Fair Condition
Poor Condition

Patient requires continued treatment but is progressing well.

Minor adjustments have been made to the patient's treatment.

Patient is off all medications.

PROGRESS NOTES:

04/06/2021 -Tater Tot was successfully released offshore by boat today with the assistance of LMC volunteers. Watch release video here >

04/02/2021 -Tater Tot is making very good progress and the turtle’s external weight has been removed. Tater Tot is gaining needed strength and is adjusting to its partial limb amputation well. Tater Tot’s prognosis is excellent.

03/25/2021 -

03/19/2021 -

03/11/2021 -

03/04/2021 - Tater Tot is making very good progress with the reduced external weight on its caudal carapace. The turtle remains active, its appetite is good and it is responding acceptably to therapy. Tater Tot’s prognosis is good.

02/25/2021 -

02/18/2021 -

02/11/2021 -

02/01/2021 -Tater Tot is making very good progress with the reduced external weight on its caudal carapace. The turtle remains active, its appetite is good and it is responding acceptably to therapy. Tater Tot’s prognosis is good.

01/28/2021 -

01/21/2021 -

01/14/2021 -

01/01/2021 -Tater Tot is making good progress, and the foreign body ingestion that was present on admission has nearly resolved. An external weight was applied to Tater Tot’s carapace to improve the persistent buoyancy disorder and the turtle is responding well to the device. Tater Tot’s prognosis is good

12/31/2021 -

12/26/2021 -

12/17/2020 - Tater Tot is having a CT evaluation this week at Jupiter Medical center

12/10/2020 -

12/01/2020 - Tater Tot is a juvenile hawksbill sea turtle that presented to the Sea Turtle Hospital as a washback. Tater Tot has an impacted gastrointestinal tract, evidence of buoyancy disorder, and some neurological abnormalities in its hind flippers. The turtle is being treated to correct the presenting conditions and we will be monitoring Tater Tot’s progress very closely. Tater Tot’s prognosis is good.

11/26/2020 - New Patient