Adopt 2020 Diamondback Terrapin Hatchlings (Symbolic)

Want to stay connected and support the Georgia Sea Turtle Center? Symbolically adopting one or our rehabilitation patients is great way to continue learning about sea turtles and staying connected. Symbolic adoptions make fantastic gifts! 

To symbolically adopt a turtle as a gift:

If you would like to purchase a Symbolic Adoption package as a gift, please fill in the order information boxes with the Gift Recipient's information before adding to your cart. Be sure to include the gift recipient's name (as it will appear on the Adoption Certificate), phone number and email address. Phone numbers are utilized ONLY in need to contact for clarification of email information. If you have any questions, contact us by email at gstceducation@jekyllisland.com. Please include "Adopt-a-Sea Turtle" in the subject line. 

Symbolic Adoption emails will be sent as soon as the adoption is processed. We will not delay processing packages for birthdays, anniversaries, or other gifts. If you are hoping to gift the adoption on a specific day and keep it a surprise, here is how we suggest you fill out the order form:

1. Fill in the gift recipient's name in the box that says, "Name on Certificate."
2. Write in your email address in the "Recipient Email Address" box. This will ensure that you receive adoption emails and not the eventual gift recipient. This way, we won't ruin the surprise of your gift if emails begin before you would like to give the adoption to the recipient!
3. After you have gifted the adoption, email us at gstceducation@jekyllisland.com to request that we change the email address associated with the adoption to the gift recipient's email address. 

Please provide a valid email address to ensure that you receive updates and notice of release.

About the 2020 Diamondback Terrapin Hatchlings

*Please note your adoption includes all of the 2020 Diamondback Terrapin Hatchlings as a group; you are not symbollically adopting an individual hatchling

Species: Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)
Age: Hatchlings 
Sex: Female
Hatched: June - August 2020
Weight:  5.1 - 9.6 g / 0.18 - 0.34 oz 
Found: Jekyll Island, GA 
Rescued by: Georgia Sea Turtle Center Terrapin Patrol

Why We're Here:  Diamondback terrapins are a marsh species that require dry ground to nest above high tide. Unfortunately, road mortality is a major threat to nesting adult females. Diamondback terrapin hatchlings initially arrive to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center as eggs recovered from adult females struck by cars on the Jekyll Island Causeway. These eggs are incubated in the hospital. The hatchlings that emerge are cared for by staff for approximately one year to ensure healthy growth before release into the marsh.  

Due to habitat accessibility, regretfully, guests will NOT be able to attend the release.  However, we will do our very best to share photos and video.

What’s included in the Adopt-a-Sea Turtle Package?* 
- Personalized Certificate of Adoption (electronic)
- Letter about your turtle
- Digital photograph of your turtle
- Species Profile
- Monthly email updates including a recent photo of your adopted turtle
- Email notice of all public GSTC release dates within the adoption period when available. (Release dates are subject to change without notice at any time.)

*Allow 2-4 weeks for processing; all Adopt-a-Turtle package contents are sent via email