Nickel Weighs In
Green sea turtle Nickel's fifth anniversary at Shedd last week signaled that it was time for her annual health exam. On the deck of the Caribbean Reef exhibit, Dr. Bill Van Bonn used a portable ultrasound machine to take Nickel’s pulse at her neck. (As the veterinarian pointed out, you can’t listen to her heart with a stethoscope.) Her heart rate is a normal 34 beats per minute — compared to an average 72 bpm for us.
She also had a routine X-ray (note the lead apron on the aquarist in the background) to check her bone density and look for signs of arthritis and joint disease, along with standard blood tests, shell measurements and weighing. In five years, the adult turtle has added more than an inch to her shell length and width, and gained 39 pounds, weighing in at 163. Dr. Bill pronounced Nickel to be in excellent health, although “she could stand to lose a little bit of weight.” The mainly vegetarian turtle will probably see fewer squid treats between now and her checkup next year.
Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor
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