Turtles belong to the group of reptiles
Cheloniidae family
Sea turtle species
Sea Turtles
Turtles are reptiles that can be found almost anywhere in the world. On this page you can find sea turtles facts information. Turtles are divided into three different species groups and this page provides sea turtles facts and information. Sea turtles are one of the three main species and all sea turtle species are endangered and in need of protection. Humans have already formed many different organizations tasked with protecting and helping sea turtles.
Sea turtles facts and information
Occurrence and habitat
Sea turtles live around the world. They occur mainly in tropical and subtropical seas. Sea turtles live in shallow and coastal waters, but also migrate long distances on the high seas. They can also be found in bays, lagoons and estuaries.
Sea turtle species
Sea turtles have lived since the time of the dinosaurs. They belong to the group of reptiles, the family Cheloniidae and the species sea turtles.
There are seven different species of sea turtles. The species are Olive Ridley, Kemp`s Ridley, Hawksbill, Flatback, Green, Loggerhead and Leatherback.
Reproduction
Sea turtles give birth to their hatching by laying eggs. One female lays about a hundred eggs at a time and has 2-8 nesting times a year. Sea turtles always lay their eggs on the same sandy beach where they were born. Turtles navigate the earth with the help of a magnetic field and are thus able to find the same beach where they were born. At about ten years of age, females reach sexual maturity and lay eggs on the shores. Once the sea turtles have laid their eggs, they leave the eggs alone in the sand to incubate and return to the sea.
The sex of sea turtle hatchling is determined by temperature. If the temperature of the sand surrounding the eggs is about 31 ° C, then the hatchlings become females. On the other hand, if the temperature is about 28 ° C, the hatchlings become males. When the hatchlings are ready to hatch, they dig out the sand and set out to migrate to the sea. About one in a thousand sea turtle hatchlings will survive to adulthood. One major reason for this is that big birds on the beaches eat turtle hatchlings before the hatchlings even get to the sea.
How do human actions affect the lives of sea turtles?
Sea turtles are in danger of extinction and there are many different reasons for this. The biggest cause of extinction is due to human actions.
Reasons for extinction:
Climate change is also a major and significant cause of turtle deaths. Storms cause the destruction of beaches and the destruction of nest sites. Climate change is also causing water warming and, as a result, sea turtles will have to adapt to new conditions. Coral reefs are also being destroyed due to global warming and taking away sea turtle homes.
How can we help sea turtles?
While humans cause a lot of harm to sea turtles, humans can still help them as well. There are already many rescue teams to help rescue sea turtles. For example, they help if the turtle is caught in plastic or in a fishing net. Rescue teams also guard the turtle nests and ensure that the hatchlings can safely enter the sea after hatching. It can take many weeks for a rescue operation because rescue teams don’t know when the hatchlings will hatch.
How to help adult sea turtles.
- The most important thing is that turtles should not be touched on the beach or in the ocean. Touching a person causes stress to the turtle and diseases or bacteria can spread from humans.
- They need to be given plenty of space in the water and on land so that they are not disturbed. The proximity of a person can interfere with their normal use.
- Take care of your own trash. One of the main food for turtles is jellyfish and plastic bags floating in the ocean can look like jellyfish. Turtles are not very wise to see the difference between a real jellyfish and a plastic bag and therefore they may eat plastic bags. Turtles can also catch fishing nets and drown.
You can find more information from Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (a nonprofit organization based in Maui, USA) web site: https://mocmarineinstitute.org
How to help sea turtle hatchling
Sufficient space must be provided for turtle nests.
For example, dogs or cats must not be allowed on the beaches so that they do not eat or step on hatched hatchlings or eggs.
During the nesting season, lights near the shores (eg street lights) must be kept off at night. Sea turtle hatchling navigate the sea with the help of moonlight reflected from the water. The street lights confuse the hatchlings’ sense of direction and they can’t find their way to the sea.
I took a picture of Hawaii’s Green sea turtle lounging on the beach.
Sofia
Sources
National geographic. Sea turtles. https://youtu.be/5Rmv3nliwCs. 15.2.2021.
Maui Kayak Tours. Sea turtles on Maui Facts. https://mauikayakadventures.com/news/sea-turtle-facts/. 15.2.2021.
WWF. Sea Turtles.https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle. 15.2.2021.
Livescience.Turtle Facts. https://www.livescience.com/52361-turtle-facts.html. 15.2.2021.
WWF. Sea turtle Facts. https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/how-long-do-sea-turtles-live-and-other-sea-turtle-facts. 15.2.2021.
Wikipedia. Merikilpikonnat. https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merikilpikonnat. 15.2.2021.
Seaworld. All about sea turtles. https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/sea-turtles/habitat/. 15.2.2021.
Oceanservice. Sea turtles. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_species.html.15.2.2021
National Geographic. Koralliriutat. https://natgeo.fi/luonto/ilmastonmuutos-rasittaa-koralliriuttoja. 16.2.2021.
Slidwplayer. Sea Turtles. https://slideplayer.com/slide/9488373/16.2.2021.
Interview source
Jessica Colla. Director of Education in Maui Ocean Center, The Hawaijian Aquarium.17.2.202. Online meeting.
Image sources
Wikipedia
painer06. pixabay
National geographic
Wikimedia
The Florida Aquarium
Video sources
Video by CHHAN MUNIUDOM from Pexels