These Animals Have Thrived Despite Their Disabilities

Bubble Butt!

Believe it or not, “bubble butt” is a real condition that affects some turtles. The turtle you see here is named Charlotte. She was rescued from the water off the Georgia coast after she was struck by a boat. The impact paralyzed her lower digestive tract, so air now gets trapped in her rear end and forces her to float with her hindquarters up. Her hind flippers were also paralyzed.

Charlotte now lives at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, where she was outfitted with some special pouches that help her swim. She’s been such an inspiration to people that one fan even wrote a book about Charlotte. It’s called Bubble Butt! The Challenged Sea Turtle of the Mystic Aquarium.