Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation

Sea Turtles in Mythology Turtles have long been revered in myths. Most Indian tribes see turtles as being sacred. The are seen as being supernatural because of their powers for survival. The Greeks saw turtles as standing for wisdom.

More Sea Turtle Myths In a Chinese myth, a turtle was believed to have developed the world within its shell. Some Indians believe that the world in which we live was formed on the back of a turtle.

Sea Turtles are still important in human culture today.

Sea Turtle Identification

Green Turtle Most common species of sea turtle. It’s called the green turtle because of the green color of the fat under shell, they are not actually green.

Green turtle It is one of the largest species of sea turtles: 3ft long, up to 300 lbs. Green turtles can be recognized because they have one pair of scales in front of their eyes, instead of 2, like most sea turtles

Black turtle Black turtle is named for the black/gray color of its shell. It is primarily located in the Eastern Pacific, and is protected in the Galapagos and some areas of Mexico.

Flatback Turtle They are named Flatback because of their flattened shell. Flatback Sea turtles are only found in Australia.

Loggerhead Turtle Loggerheads can grow up to 350 lbs, between ins. They can be identified by their large head, reddish brown carapace (top), and dull brown plastron (bottom).

Hawksbill Turtle The beautiful shell of Hawksbill turtles is often used for jewelry

Olive Ridley This is one of the smallest sea turtles, weighing only 100lbs. It is also one of the most numerous species of sea turtle. It is named Olive Ridley because of the olive coloring.

Kemp’s Ridley Kemp’s Ridley is the most endangered species, as well as the smallest: only grows to ins and lbs. They are olive green in color. They only nest on one beach in the world, in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico.

Leatherback Can dive the deepest and travel the furthest of any other turtle. They have tough leathery skin covering their back.

Leatherbacks Largest sea turtle, up to 7 ft long, 1200lbs. Instead of a solid shell they have bones in their skin that form 5 ridges.

Navigation

Navigation is finding the way from one location to another. What are some ways that people can navigate?

Navigation 1. Compass 2. Stars 3. Position of Moon and Sun 4. Maps 5. Landmarks What are some ways that sea turtles may navigate in the water and on land?

Navigation Sight Position of the moon Wave direction Internal compass (turtles that we know use this: loggerhead and leatherback)

Navigation So how do you think baby turtles navigate from the nest to the ocean?

Navigation 1. Move away from silhouettes at the top of the beach 2. Orient themselves toward the brightest light (moon on water in low populated beaches) They can sense the direction of waves when in the water Some use a magnetic compass.

Navigation What are some reasons a turtle might have to navigate in the ocean? How far do you think turtles may migrate?

Navigation They migrate to find: food mates and beaches to nest on

Navigation Some turtles migrate over 2600 km but most will only travel 1000 km.

Reproduction

Turtles lay eggs in nests on the beach, usually at night. They can lay up to several hundred in one nest. Many turtles can create several nests over a few weeks, during the reproductive season.

Reproduction After laying all their eggs, the female turtles return to the ocean. After sixty days the baby turtles will emerge and travel to the ocean, and must defend themselves.

Conservation 1. What is making the sea turtles endangered? 2. How can we protect turtles and their habitats? 3. Problems being faced with enforcing laws. 4. What can we do?

1. What is making the sea turtle endangered? Coastal development A. Destroying nesting beaches. B. Increasing pollution in bays. C. Distracting hatchlings with light. D. Beach vehicle activity.

1. What is making the sea turtle endangered? Net & Shrimp trawls A. Entanglement and drowning. B. Used in trade for shell and meat. C. Destroying feeding grounds.

1. What is making the sea turtle endangered? Industrial development A. Sand walls preventing nesting B. Oil spills C. Damage to coral reefs and sea grass beds.

1. What is making the sea turtle endangered? Natural Mortality A. Predation as hatchlings B. Predation as juveniles and adults C. Old age

2. How can we protect the turtles and their habitat? Protect nesting grounds A. Reserves and wildlife refuge B. Relocate eggs to hatcheries. C. Patrol the beaches from poachers D. Prevent coastal development and activity.

2. How can we protect the turtles and their habitat? Education A. Get locals involved B. Decrease international trade of products C. Scientific research D. Tell others

2. How can we protect the turtles and their habitat? Improvements A. Improve fishing trawls (TED) B. Protect with turtle farms C. Decrease pollution and trash D. Get involved

3. Problems being faced with enforcing laws Not all countries have the money or manpower to control poaching on beaches. Violations of poaching may only face a simple fine, or may be disregarded.

3. Problems being faced with enforcing laws Jurisdiction varies between governmental agencies: water = fishery depart. land = wildlife and forest depart.

3. Problems being faced with enforcing laws Turtle farms for trade and reinstatement cost millions of dollars and take 20 to start. “to some people... trade and conservation appear to conflict, but if properly applied, they could well be the key to surviving the species” --H. Reichart

3. Problems being faced with enforcing laws Local people are not educated enough in rural countries and need turtle meat as a source of protein. Not all nesting beaches can be protected.

4. What can we do as students? We can do our part in conservation by simple acts: 1. Picking up trash on the beach. 2. Cutting soda 6-pack rings, and recycle 3. Don’t buy marine animal products and souvenirs 4. Be careful what food we eat.

4. What can we do as students? We can go further by: 1. Volunteer in helping scientists do research. 2. Adopt a turtle. 3. Become members of animal conservation societies. 4. Write to your Congressman.

Interesting Facts: Archelon is the oldest known fossil at 150MYA. Found in 1970’s in S.Dakota.

Archelon: Measured 15ft long (from beak to tail) and 16.5ft wide (including flippers and shell),

Archelon: Primarily ate giant squid.

Photo Credits #1,7,11,16,17,19,24,29,37,42www.cccturtle.org #5www.co.broward.fl.us/bri00600.htm #6www.yoto98.noaa.gov/books/seaturtles/seatur1.htm #8,10,12,14,18,20www.ex.ac.uk/telematics/EuroTurtle/homep.htm #13,26,32,36,38www.baja-tortugas.org/conservation.html #10,15,21,49www.bonairenet.com/turtle/turtle.htm #23,41,47www.seaworld.org/Sea_Turtle/seaturtle.html #25www.nps.gov/pais/turtles.htm

Photo Credits cont. #43, 46 Webhost.bridgeW.edu/EsandG/blkbeach.htm: #45 #8, 22, 48 J. Ripple Sea Turtles. Voyageur Press: #33, 35, 39, 40, 44 Jeff Seminoff: #9 John R. Hendrickson: #4,27,28, 30, 34 Hometown.aol.com/gonyosoma/folklore.html: #2 #9, 10 #50,51,52