Tennessee Aquarium Celebrates Major Hatchling Success with 7 New Baby Turtles from 5 Species
(Photo credit: Tennessee Aquarium): Tennessee Herpetology Collection Coordinator Bill Hughes holds a trio of Four-eyed Turtles that hatched at the Aquarium in the first half of 2026.
Since making waves by hatching the first of this critically endangered Southeast Asian species in 2007, the Aquarium has hatched 72 Four-eyed Turtles.
In The Know with Gino…
The Tennessee Aquarium has announced a remarkable turtle hatching season, adding 7 adorable new baby turtles representing 5 different species to its extensive collection. This influx of hatchlings, born since mid-May, underscores the Aquarium’s ongoing commitment to turtle conservation and breeding programs.
Among the new arrivals are critically endangered Four-eyed Turtles, with three hatchlings, along with a Beal’s Four-eyed Turtle, a Spotted Turtle, a Ringed Map Turtle, and a Hilaire’s Side-necked Turtle. Additional eggs from species like Central American Wood Turtles and Yellow-blotched Map Turtles are currently developing in incubators, promising more new arrivals soon.
Herpetology Collection Coordinator Bill Hughes, who has dedicated over 30 years to turtle husbandry and breeding, describes this year’s hatchings as a “noteworthy but modest” success. “Typically, this is our busiest season, but this year, the numbers are more restrained—yet every hatchling counts,” Hughes said.
Hughes gained national recognition in 2007 for hatching the first Four-eyed Turtle in captivity, a critically endangered species native to Southeast Asia. Since then, the Aquarium has successfully bred over 70 of these rare turtles, many of which have been shared with other zoos and aquariums across the country, including Zoo Knoxville and the Bronx Zoo.
The Aquarium’s history of turtle breeding dates back to its opening in 1992, with more than 1,100 turtles across 56 species hatched over the years. Achieving successful hatchings involves meticulous control of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and water access—an intricate process that Hughes and his team have refined over decades.
One of the most complex cases involves the Hilaire’s Side-necked Turtle, native to South-Central South America. To mimic its natural environment, Hughes carefully orchestrates a “seasonal” cycle—cooler, dry conditions followed by gradual warming and simulated rainfall—to trigger hatching, illustrating the advanced techniques required for successful breeding.
Sharing knowledge with other institutions has played a key role in the Aquarium’s success. Hughes recalls how pioneering work with species like the Spiny Turtle helped increase their populations in captivity, contributing to global conservation efforts.
While 2026 might be a “slower” year compared to previous record-breaking seasons, every hatchling is vital. These young turtles serve as “living ambassadors,” raising public awareness about endangered species and the importance of conservation efforts.
“The goal isn’t just to hatch turtles but to inspire people to care,” Hughes emphasized. “When visitors see these tiny creatures, they realize how fragile and precious they are—sometimes, that’s the first step toward protecting them in the wild.”
The Tennessee Aquarium’s work extends beyond breeding. Its partnership with conservation organizations, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE American Turtles Program, helps rescue turtles from illegal wildlife trade and supports their recovery.
For more information about the Aquarium’s turtle exhibits and conservation initiatives, visit tnaqua.org/exhibit/turtles-of-the-world/. To learn more about the SAFE American Turtles program, visit tnaqua.org/at-the-aquarium/aza-safe-saving-turtles-together/.
(Photo credit: Tennessee Aquarium): A baby Ringed Map Turtle at the Tennessee Aquarium.
This endangered North American hatchling is the first of its species to hatch at the Aquarium since 1998.
SOURCE: Tennessee Aquarium
