Hatchling to Washback
Washbacks are sea turtle hatchlings that have made it to the open ocean, began eating, and are on their way to the line of Sargassum seaweed, over 50-100 miles in the ocean!
With fall storms, strong ocean currents and winds, sea turtle hatchlings that make it to the seaweed can be pushed back onto the beach even months later - and become a washback.
Washback turtles cannot get back to their Sargassum habitat by themselves. They used all their egg nutrition to swim out that far, and now can’t make the swim back out to thrive.
Care at the Hospital
The Sea Turtle Hospital staff cares for hundreds of washbacks each season. When they are brought to the Sea Turtle Hospital, we watch over and care for them. We make sure they get their energy back for a boat ride out to their ocean home. Each washback is treated just like a patient in our hospital.
When they arrive they receive a full exam, fluids if dehydrated, a patient number, and a swim test. If any of the washbacks have injuries, they are treated by our veterinary care team. Each washback receives a two character ID which is written on their carapace with marker (don’t worry it is removed before they are released). This ID helps us track who is eating and improving or who needs extra attention.
Our washbacks get fed 3-5 times a day and our animal care team monitors their overall body condition and health. Once cleared for release, we work with FWC and neighboring facilities to organize an offshore boat trip to release the washbacks in their Sargassum seaweed habitat.
Helping Washbacks
If you encounter a washback sea turtle (small hatchling size), call MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife 1-888-404-3922 and if directed, deliver to our drop-off location in front of the Whitney Laboratory Administration Building where our essential staff check throughout the day.
If you would like to join us to help support the care of washbacks gifts can be made online or by mail. Our successes together wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of Sea Turtle friends like you!
Thank you Washback Friends!
Thank you to all of our Washback Friends who symbolically named and Adopted a Washback during the past few seasons. We couldn't do what we do without your support! Adopt a Washback returns this October!
2023 - Tough Guy, Turtle Dove, Crush, Scoobie, Juliet, Stella, Scarlett, Calais Louise III, Little Cannoli, Morgan, Sebod, Bing Bong Jr., Cooper, Happy, DAK, Squirtle, Evan Carter, Allan, Jackie, Blazing, Crush, Lina, Tuck, Mikey, Jessie, Tina, Bran-Kam, Explorer, Flash, Gypsea, Squishy, Olive, Squirt, Alecia Beth, Paige, Cara, Diana, Bridget, Mindy, Rachel, Jumbo Jimmy IV, Under the Sea, Blaidd Bach (Little Wolf), Ronald Weasley, Franklin, Thomasina, Calamari, Yertle, JUPITER, Tigger, Gilligan, Bella, Squirt, Simione, Tanner, Hope, Gloria Cossetti, Black Jack, Gordy, Hey Hey, Amelia, Long Legs, Scooter, Kallie, Cutie, Leza, Tereck, Sandbar, Amy, Bella, Captain Rex, Ahsoka, Harkness, Stitch, Angel, Stitch, Jacsun, RiCav, Titus, Hank, Pucket, Seamore, Charlie, Palmy Coaster, Carlito, Olive, Richard, Dervin, Lily, Lindsay, Hilary, Long Snapper, Frosty, Swiftie, Tito, CiCi, Chanel, Senior Spicoli, Cindy, Dan The Man, Kimmie, Roy, Two Nine Nine, Shades, Tripod, Sandstorm, Jason, Frederick, Kaylee, Thunder, Lightning, Rezoda, Zuke, Tinkerbell, Squirt, Speedy, Phelps, Washback, Rollie, Shelly, Ocean Spray, Pebbles, Ohana, Jakers, Reversio, Safe Traveler, Oscar, Positive, Alden, Beryl, Squirt, Mimosa, Christina Bradic, Rigo, Olive Oil, Corey, Tammy, Titus, Myrtle, Sebastian, Bright Star, Murphy, Perseverance, Mo, Button, Washback Babies, Lenape, Sherry, Alex, Andrew, Aidan, Nina, Kelsi, Myrtle, Fred, Jay, Kaylee, Beachcomber, Christina, TinyT, Arlo, Leo, Salty Hokie, Petey the turtle, Cole, Wendy Holt, Cameron, Jackson, Gavin, El Loreto, Tyler, Rainbow, Beanbag, Lord Buckley
2022 - Samuel, Eli, Audra (Gigi), Euoplocephalus, Comet Too, Crush, Turtilla, Turtlellini, Billi, Marshy, Jayda, Benjamin, Charlotte, Crush, Sunshine, Sam, Tammi Turtle, Sonia, Tinko, Heart Turtle, Sea Coral, Hunter D, Journey D, Jack D, Squishy, Snowy C, Star C, Hunter C, Jack C, Journey C, Sanders, Einstein, K&C for Kendric and Casey, Henry, Elena, Isabel, Squirtle, Clemintine, Tut, Cuco, Savannah, Dallas, Alemap, Allie, Charlotte Hannon, Cooper Hannon, Grit, Hot Rod, Lola, Sweet T, Speedy Sapienza-Scott, Sheldon, Crush, NICO, Lana, Timmy, Betsy, Ripple, Gertie, Shelly, Liam, Dominic, Madison, Spunky, Camp, Baby Olive, Russell, Calypso, Rojoe-Jajuf, Junebug, Tintal Squigy, Tata, Jimmy, Froggy, Mimi, Salvation, Chelsea, Tagalong, Samoa, Thin Mint, Lamar Jackson, Pepper, Molly, Billie, "Yulee", Ruffian, Tortellini, Shelly, Shelley, Jo, Myrtle, Snappy, Zippy, SAMMAMISH, Speedy, Tilly, Seafoam, Easton, Billy Bob Joe, Will the Turtle, Nolan Breeden, Gracie, Baby Eskimo, Mommy Eskimo, Dave the Turtle, Mary Alice, Waylope, Turtle- Elle, Turtle – Crew, Daisy, Gizmo, Roy, Lambert, Spots, Scout, Allan Hayes, K & C, Snuggles, Sweet Wonder Washback Girl, Jackie, Peanut, Thomasina, Compass, Sal, Peneleth, Murphy, Gwen Stefani, James, Hǎiguī, Daniel, May, Pania, Ben, M & C, Auggie, Speedy, Sandy, Kisser, Roman III, Magnus, Sailors Siren, Epictetus, Washback Turtle, Wash back, Shelly, Harrison, Louie, Chief Roy, Lucy, Parker ‘Little Bear’, Christine Daaé, Viscount Raoul de Chagny, Truck, Miguel, Josh, Obers, Daffy, Tereck, Naomie, Noah, Lydia, Nathaniel, Mello Yellow, Shelldon, Hali, Washie, Raul, Whitney, Louise, Nautilus, Mahogany wood, Perry, ELLA, Gwen, Lizzie, Gordy, Usain, Thomas, Baby Cost, Alexandra, Diane, Butterfly, Jonny, Minnie, Denver, Digi, Murray, Wally, Kona Kai, Cindy, Sally Barnum, Tater, Bobbyrae
2021 - Summer, Grayton, Devon, John, Lester, Pam, Jan, Max, Casey, Betty Jean, Little Dougie, Tanner, Jaxson, Kingston, Liam Calais, Dominic Calais, Madison Calais, Gordon, Hope, Henry, Bon Bon, Sonia, Nina, Lenny, Amelia Renee, OBER, Wash-Ashore, Otis, Monica, Sheila, Linda, Madi, Jersey, Gruffalo, Tilly, Flappers, Kelpie, Harry Hay, Cece, Shelly, 1L, Nala, Captain America, Hulk, Skeleton, H, Nanner Puddin, Milo, Makena, Timmy the turtle, TRUDY, Yoder Branoff, Chloe, Patty, Shadow, Crescent, Ton-Ton, Taylor, DPR, Wink, Con Beardon, Sea Biscuit, Mister Bruce, Sneezy, Archie, Turtle dove, Superman, Wonder Woman, Luke Skywalker, Jay Jay, Sebod, Hazel, Nugget, Tim, Gwennie the Second, Shawnie, Sea Bean, Ava, Rhodopis, Senergy, Terry, Ritter, Teddy C., Sophia C., Erika H., Adrienne C., Natalie K., Stephanie B., Steph B., Fluffy, Carrot, Oaklye, Sammye, Squishy, Ratbone, Bolt, Laura Lee, Wheezy, Bowie, Yertle the Turtle, Dr. Pepper, Pip, Katie A, Pickles, Sage, Squirt, Skyttles, Jimin, Dixie, Cousteau, Walter, Skeeter, Tula, Spirit, SuSu, Finley, Roy, Jupiter, Bob, Andy, Robin, Jedi, Charlotte Hannon, Cooper Hannon, Anna, Annika, FAST, Finley Thomas, Jace Smith, Atlanticus, ChelSTONia, Carlos Fin Diesel, Sea-Slice, Joey, Rashers, Beans Gibraltar Simonelli, Mr. Burr Beans, TerrBear AKA Terry the Turtle, Bolt II, Urpi, Zippy, Allie, Flurry, Sasquatch 598, The Kurt Family, Mochi, Natty, Skyfry, Grant, Alex, Rachel, Laulau, Cora, Bryan, Albita, Broccoli, AquaKnott, Esperanza, Lulu, Lord Brocktree, General Turtle, Myshell, Bella, Cutie Scutie, Tine Bean, Shell-e, Big Ernie, Shellie, Sprinkle, Beaches Go Green, Titus, Tater Nugget, Nova, Hope, Sarah, Sandpiper, Akula, Ziggy, Hannibal, Touche', Boots, Marian, Braveheart, Caymus, Tiyee, Edisto
2020 - Radar, PRIMO, Freedom, Melby, Chely, Jax, Noli, Faith, Emma, Sandy, William, Sebod 2, Zip, Sam, Amelia, Catfish, Jill, Daisy, Dax, Sonia, Atlantica, Joey, Ace, Pokey, Bravo, Daintree, Ma-von, Stitch, Elena Kay, Sterling, Sargasso, Carey, Nellie, Miss Vicki, Frank, Squishy, Abcd, Chester, Yoshi, Victoria, Lucy, Brownie, Sheila, kūpaʻa, Mattie's Friend, Yoda, Xcalibur, Pop Tart, Nina, Lenny, Bishop, Kamala, Luka, Hope, Dell, Gordon, Skeeter, Kahuna, Henry, ICANDOIT, Squirt, Isla, Amy, Bolt, Leilani, Cliff, Booker, Dak, Jenny, Tina, Marvin, J&J, R&E, JFS, Josie, Cecilia, Goose, Ben & Jay, Crush, Cindy, Atalanta, Optimus Prime, Chelsye Ginn, Carson, Louise, Jones, Bandika, Franklin, Tuffy, Ansley, ODee 904, Kale Titan, Ripley Luna, Irish King, Matsume, Trevor Augustine, Sheba, Amelia, Roman II, Delamar, Olive Oil, Suzanne Grimes, Harry Augustine Rose, Princess Anastasia the 16th, Chicken, Yurtle, Bailee, Mittens, Sam, Hardshell Fran, Fafarelle, Little Gwen, Simer & Lemy, Sparky, Judge Motley, Augustus, Finnegan, Neptune, Charlotte Hannon, Cooper Hannon, Thalassa Vasílissa, Coastal Cruiser!, Jackson the Fierce, Joan’s Washback, Survivor, SaltyBrine, ZoomieDani, Vovse's Turtle, Lucy, Christopher Hayes, Sarah Gail, Jack, Shelby, Sandi, Doug, Jay Jay, Captain Obvious, Kimberly, Roy DeCastro, Bodie Baby Turtle, Ben Baby Turtle, Kendall Baby Turtle, Crush, Snorkle, Skyttles, Scout, Padawan, Mayor Leslie Babonis, Oaklye, Pequeno
