Grasshopper
Patient Report
Name: Grasshopper
Species: Green sea turtle
Weight:13.9 lbs.
Reason for visit: Fibropapilloma tumors, cold stunt
Location: Transfer
Status Report
- 03/20/2026 Meet Grasshopper, a juvenile green sea turtle recently transferred from the University of Florida’s Whitney Labs. She is currently being treated for cold stunning as well as fibropapilloma tumors. Grasshopper also arrived with a heavy load of epibiota, which is something we often see when turtles come down due to illness. When they’re not swimming normally, small crustaceans and other organisms take the opportunity to settle and grow on the nutrient rich surface of the shell.
- 03/20/2026 Today we removed barnacles from Grasshopper’s carapace while it’s normal for healthy turtles to have a few barnacles, they’re typically able to dislodge them on their own in the wild. Sick or weakened turtles, however, struggle to do this, allowing barnacles to accumulate over time. Removing them helps reduce drag, improve comfort, and supports the turtle’s overall recovery.
- 06/10/2026 Today is surgery day for Grasshopper. After undergoing tumor‑removal surgery with Dr. Terry Norton, Grasshopper is spending the night “dry‑docked” in our emergency room, where our team can closely monitor his recovery and carefully manage any post‑surgical bleeding. This dry‑docking period is an important part of his immediate aftercare, allowing us to keep him stable and ensure he heals safely from the procedure
Grasshopper Photos
