• Skip to main content

Your visit and support helps us continue our nonprofit mission to rescue, rehab and release more marine life. Donate today!

  • Rescue Map
  • Careers
    • Job Opportunities
    • Internships
  • Visit CMA
    • Visit Info
    • Tickets
    • Experience
    • Plan An Event
    • Learn
    • Webcams
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • Sea Turtle Patients
    • Sea Turtle Releases
    • Manatee Tracking
    • Manatee UME
    • 2021-2022 Right Whale Calving Season
    • Rescue Stories
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Logo

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

  • What We Do
    • Rescue, Rehab, Release
    • Animal Care
    • Conservation & Research
    • Inspire The Human Spirit
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Give
    • Save a Seat
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Careers & Internships
  • Research Institute
    • Manatee Research
    • Manatee Tracking
    • Right Whale Research
    • Expeditions
    • Project Partners
    • Meet Our Researchers
  • Education & Resources
    • Educational Resources
    • Off-Site Programs
    • Education Station
    • Virtual Backgrounds
    • Report An Animal
  • About
    • 50 Years of CMA
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Board of Directors
    • Executive Leadership
    • Contact Us
    • Financial Reports
    • Press & News
  • Donate
Blog & News

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Lemonhead

Releases Released Animals Updated December 9, 2020 Posted November 3, 2020

green sea turtle Lemonhead

Lemonhead

Juvenile, Green (Chelonia mydas)
green sea turtle Lemonhead
Patient Status
Released December 8, 2020
Date Found
October 20, 2020
Location
Pasco County
Reason for Rescue
Entanglement

Initial Assessment

Weight
6.74 kg (14.8 lbs)
SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
41.1 cm
Exam Findings
Active & ingested fishing line; Minor pap tumors present.
Initial Treatment
Received vitamins, anti-inflammatory medicine & fluids.

Lemonhead’s Story

Lemonhead is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found entangled in a braided line in Pasco County. The line was wrapped around the right front flipper and caused a minor injury. Lemonhead did ingest the line which can cause serious gastrointestinal issues. Our vet team was able to successfully remove the line, orally, after X-rays confirmed there was no hook. Lemonhead’s initial treatment includes fluids, anti-inflammatory and vitamin injections. It is important to remember to always properly dispose of your fishing gear!

fishing line Lemonhead was entangled with
Fishing line removed from Lemonhead.

Treatment Updates

10.24.20

Lemonhead was offered a sample of fish, and ate all of it quickly! An official diet will be started tomorrow. We are continuing to do glucose checks and are giving fluids if needed.

We are also continuing to monitor Lemonhead’s swim time and are slowly increasing time out of the kiddie pool and into deep water!

10.27.20

Lemonhead is continuing to do well and diet was increased. A CT scan was performed and no internal pap tumors were observed!

11.1.20

Lemonhead is swimming well and is able to be in deep water all day and overnight!

11.7.20

Lemonhead is continuing to improve and has been cleared to have surgery to remove pap tumors!

12.8.20

Lemonhead was released at Fred Howard Park!

Learn more about Lemonhead’s release.


All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-19-172.

Previous Post: Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Jack
Next Post: Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Nerds
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

Sign up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe

Shop • Careers & Internships • Contact


Visit Us

Buy Tickets • Watch Webcams • Camps • Upcoming Events


© 2023 Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Privacy Policy • Terms & Conditions • Accessibility

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

  • What We Do
  • Get Involved
  • Research Institute
  • Education & Resources
  • About
  • Visit CMA
  • Membership
  • Careers
  • Donate
  • Blog & News
  • Rescue Map