Myrtle the 95-Year-Old Sea Turtle Gets Clean Bill of Health at the New England Aquarium

If you've ever visited the New England Aquarium, you've likely seen Myrtle the Turtle swimming in the giant ocean tank. You have to love that name! You may be surprised to know that you are most likely much younger than Myrtle, and she just got a clean bill of health.

Myrtle came to the New England Aquarium in 1970, and experts have surmised that she is 95 years old. She's lived happily at the New England Aquarium for almost 50 years, and like all its residents, she gets a regular physical just like you and me.

According to Boston.com, Myrtle has her physical on April 9, after being lifted out of the Giant Ocean Tank in a crate. She weighed 500 pounds, so this was quite an undertaking to transport her.

She got herself a clean bill of health, and was returned to the tank where she will continue to amaze visitors, hopefully for years to come. It's a real possibility that Myrtle could live for another 50+ years. Sea turtles' natural lifespan is estimated to be 50-100 years, but when cared for in an aquarium like the New England Aquarium, she could live longer, as she's safe from predators, fed well, and getting regular exams to make sure she's in good health.

I remember seeing Myrtle as a kid when I was just six years old and she was about 47.

It makes me wonder, is Myrtle featured in this classic commercial for the New England Aquarium?