June’s Sea Star of the Month is Eli, a sideneck turtle – the newest addition to Ambassador Alley!

Eli is not a new addition to the Butterfly House & Aquarium, however, as he used to live in the Conservatory pond.

Sideneck turtles are named for how they tuck their long necks into their shell by turning it to the side.

They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and small animals.

They spend the dry season in their natural habitat buried in the mud. They will spend the majority of their time in the water hiding under rock ledges.