Meet the Bayfront Park Turtle Family
Seven Little Personalities, One Special Pond
By Arianie Hernández
Tucked away in the peaceful Rock Garden Pond at Bayfront Park lives a very special family of turtles who have captured the hearts of the Bayfront Park (BP) staff. Each turtle has a personality of its own, and together, they have become some of the park’s most beloved residents.
There were once seven turtles living in the pond, each with its own unique character, name, and place in the family. And believe us, these turtles are full of personality!
Let’s start with our beloved Seven, the smallest member of the family. Seven may be the tiniest turtle in the pond, but don’t let that fool you — Seven is also the fastest of them all!
Months ago, two of our turtles somehow made their way outside their temporary holding space during the Rock Garden construction. Naturally, the BP staff was concerned about their little adventures. But then came a heartwarming surprise: our precious Seven was found near a tree in the park and safely reunited with the other turtles. It was a happy reunion for one of our smallest and most treasured residents! Unfortunately, our second-smallest turtle, Umi, has yet to return. However, we remain hopeful that one day Umi will make a surprise appearance, just as Seven did!
Now, every family has its big personalities, and ours is no exception. Meet Terremoto, the largest turtle in the pond. With a name that means “earthquake” in Spanish, Terremoto certainly has a name that commands attention! Right behind Terremoto in size is Godzilla, our second-largest turtle, who has a mighty name to match.
Then there’s Frank the Tank, easily recognized by the distinctive red stripes on his face. Frank has his own signature look, making him one of the easiest members of the family to identify.
And if there’s one turtle who never misses a meal, it’s Mikey, the proud holder of the title for biggest appetite. When it comes to feeding time, Mikey is always ready to show up and enjoy the feast!
Last but certainly not least is Raulita, the second-smallest turtle in the family. Raulita was originally named Raulito in honor of the park’s former executive director, Raul Miro Jr. However, once the staff discovered that this little turtle was actually a girl, the name was lovingly changed to Raulita. Sometimes, even the best names need a little update!
These seven turtles are more than just residents of the Rock Garden Pond. They are a cherished part of the Bayfront Park family. The BP staff makes sure they are well cared for and fed daily, and over time, these little pond dwellers have become a source of joy, affection, and plenty of smiles.
We can’t wait for the Rock Garden to reopen to the community! When that day comes, we look forward to welcoming visitors back to this special space, where they can enjoy the beauty of the garden, spend time by the pond, and get to know our beloved Bayfront Park turtle family.
So, the next time you visit Bayfront Park, remember that there’s a little family of seven turtles waiting to steal your heart — from our tiny but mighty Seven to our giant Terremoto, our hungry Mikey, and all the personalities in between.
Seven turtles. Seven unique personalities. One beloved Bayfront Park family.
And trust us, this turtle family is worth the visit!
