Watch with glee as sea turtles named after breakfast foods are released into the ocean
In what may be the world's most pleasant Mad Lib, 14 sea turtles named after breakfast foods were released into the ocean on Wednesday after a brief period of rehabilitation by the National Aquarium care team.
The turtles, some of whose names are Waffles, Bagel, Granola, and (my personal favorite) Quiche, said "what's up" to the Atlantic as part of a larger release event on Florida's Little Talbot Island.
And in case you haven't thought about how cute sea turtles are recently, let me remind you: they are cute.
Look, for example, at this friend, who has the face of a Pokémon and a heart of gold.
This one is waving goodbye (to its caretaker), but also hello (to its home). If this concept doesn't make you tear up at your desk, I don't know what to tell you.
This one is about to swim. :')
This is a big moment for these reptiles, who have really been through the wringer. Per the aquarium, all of them were discovered "cold-stunned and stranded" along the coast of Massachusetts before being placed in the aquarium's care.
"As ectothermic, or cold-blooded, animals, their body temperature relies on the temperature of their surroundings," rehabilitation manager Kate Shaffer told a local outlet in Florida. "So when the temps there drop too low and they can't find their way out of Cape Cod Bay, they hit the beaches."
So what should you do if you come across a sea turtle yourself? First, give it a breakfast name -- Omelette and Cream of Wheat are available. Then, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission recommends keeping your distance -- but you should contact the local conservation commission if the turtle appears injured or disoriented.
And because I know you want to know, here are all the turtle breakfast names of which Mashable is currently aware.
Waffles
Bagel
French Toast
Doughnut
Sticky Bun
Hash Brown
Granola
Oatmeal
Quiche
Flapjack
Cereal
Congrats to all the breakfast turtles!
Topics Animals Sustainability
Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.
