Marine Reptiles Class Reptilia Characteristics of Reptiles; Cold Blooded (Ectotherm) Three Chambered Heart Scales Oviparous Reproduction
Salt Glands to rid excess salt in ocean species Restricted to temperate or warm areas
Chuckwalla, Isla Ventana
Crocodiles; marine sp. Saltwater Crocodiles; Florida, Australia, Asia Africa Crocodiles have specialized 4 chambered heart
Sea Snakes Venomous 50 species (one sp.) Calif. To Ecuador Modified flattened body
Marine Lizards Marine Iguana of the Galapagos Is. Modified flattened tail Eat algae on rocks in the sea Unique example of natural selection
Sea Turtles 6 species, all are endangered Scales fused into hard carapace (shell) Extensive migration patterns for egg laying on tropical beaches
Green Sea Turtle Range; San Diego to Tropics Food; eel grass and sea weeds
Green Sea Turtle
Loggerhead turtle Range; S. Calif. To tropics Food; crabs, mollusks, jellyfish, eelgrass
Loggerhead
Leatherback Turtle Range; all warmer seas Food; jellyfish
Leatherback
Pacific Ridley Turtle Range; N. Baja Mex. To tropics Food; sea weed, Mollusks, urching
Hawksbill Turtle Range; Tropics Food; predator, fish etc.
Hawksbill
Olive Ridley Turtle Range;
Olive Ridley
Kemp’s Ridley
Australian Flatback
Black Turtle, West coast of Mex.
Exploitation by Man Meat Eggs Leather Shells (Hawksbill) (tortoise shell) Oil (lotions etc.)
Eating raw turtle eggs; for ?????
Egg Poaching, Costa Rica
Olive Ridley snagged in a longline set for sharks. Costa Rica, Pacific
Conservation Efforts for food and for release into wild ‘Farm’ raising for food and for release into wild Guarding breeding beaches Laws, regulations,(enforcement problems)
Antonio Resendiz, Bahia de Los Angeles
Protected nesting beach at Rancha Nuevo, Mex. Kemp’s Ridley hatchlings