Sea Turtles by: Mallory Bush

Sea Turtles: Sea turtles are large, air-breathing reptiles that inhabit tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. Their shells consist of an upper part (carapace) and a lower section (plastron). Hard scales, or scutes cover all but the leatherback, and the number and arrangement of these scutes can be used to determine the species. There are seven different species of living Sea Turtles.

Scientific Name: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Suborder: Cryptodira Superfamily: Chelonioidea

Habitat: Turtles spend most of their first five years in convergence zones within the open ocean. Mature turtles spend most of their time in shallow, coastal waters with lush seagrass beds. Juveniles of some species may be found in bays and estuaries, as well as at sea.

Prey: Depending on the species, sea turtles may be carnivorous (meat eating), herbivorous (plant eating), or omnivorous (eating both meat and plants). Sea Turtles eat anything from algae and sea grass to mollusks and jellyfish. Some Sea Turtles, such as the Hawksbill, even eat squid.

Predators:  The most harmful predator a sea turtle has is people. People hunt sea turtles for their meat, eggs, and shells. Tiger sharks, in particular, are known for eating sea turtles. Killer whales have been known to prey on leatherback turtles. Hatchlings must escape the clutches of animals such as foxes and gulls as they try to reach the water; and even when they reach the ocean, predators, such as sharks, await them.

Physical Characteristics: Like other turtles, sea turtles lack teeth. Jaw shape varies among species. Each species has a jaw shape adapted for its diet. In all species except the leatherback, the bony shell is composed of broadened, fused ribs, and the backbone is attached to the carapace. Sea turtles are characterized by a large, streamlined shell. Depending on the species, sea turtles range from olive-green, yellow, greenish-brown, reddish-brown, or black. Sea turtles have large upper eyelids that protect their eyes.

Physical Characteristics: Adult males have longer, thicker tails than females, because the male reproductive organ is housed in the base of the tail. In males, the tail may extend beyond the hind flippers. Sea turtles do not have an external ear openings. Researchers have found that sea turtles respond to low frequency sounds and vibrations.

Unique Facts: A sea turtle cannot retract its head under its shell as a land turtle can. Hawksbill turtles have been known to remain submerged for 35 to 45 minutes. Green sea turtles can stay under water for as long as five hours. Sea turtles can see well under water but are shortsighted in the air. To breathe, a sea turtle opens its mouth slightly and draws in water through the nose. It then immediately empties the water out again through the mouth.

Unique Facts: A female Sea Turtle can lay up to 200 eggs at once. Most Sea Turtles are nomads and travel about 1,300 miles a day Sea turtles can live to be over 80 years old.

Reproduction: Females may nest every two to three years. It is believed the courting process can take place for several weeks before mating occurs. The males may compete with each other by seeing who can raise their neck the highest. Within a few weeks of the mating process, the female is ready to go to shore. She will dig a nest and there she will lay her eggs.

Threats: All species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered. Each year, more than 250,000 sea turtles are accidentally captured, injured or killed by U.S. fishermen. Many of these injuries and deaths take place while turtles are migrating through fishing areas. The turtles, attracted to the bait, get caught on the hooks used to catch fish. When they are caught underwater in nets or on lines, they drown if they are unable to reach the surface for air.

Threats:: Major threats to sea turtles in the U.S. include, but are not limited to: destruction and alteration of nesting and foraging habitats; incidental capture in commercial and recreational fisheries; entanglement in marine debris; and vessel strikes. Plastic is often mistaken for food, and once ingested can choke sea turtles or clog their digestive system. It has been said that leatherbacks, for example, may mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their favorite food.

How we can help: A few ways each of us can assist this endangered species: Reduce the amount of plastic garbage you produce. Don’t release balloons or allow plastic bags to fly away - sea turtles try to eat these items. Turn off beach lighting. It disorients the sea turtles.

How we can help: Reduce chemicals and fertilizers. Recycle fishing line and other items. Use caution while boating. Boat injuries are often fatal to sea turtles. Adopt a sea turtle nest.

Bibliography:: Information About Sea Turtles, Their Habitats and Threats to Their Survival: http://www.cccturtle.org/seaturtleinformation.php Marine Turtles: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/ Sea Turtles: http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/seaturtle/home.html