Facts about sea turtles you need to know
Sea turtles are ancient and vital creatures, having lived in the world’s oceans for over 100 million years.
Found in warm and temperate seas, they play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems.
However, sea turtles face increasing threats from climate change, habitat destruction, and human activities.
Their unique life cycle and migratory patterns make them particularly vulnerable, yet they remain symbols of resilience.
Every year on June 16, ‘World Sea Turtle Day’ is celebrated to raise awareness about the conservation efforts needed to protect these magnificent animals and highlight their importance to ocean health.
Fascinating facts about sea turtlesLife expectancy of 80 yearsSea turtles have an impressive lifespan, with many species living between 50 and 80 years.
They take two to three decades to mature, and once they do, they remain actively reproductive for about 10 years.
Sand temperature determines their genderThe temperature of the sand where sea turtles lay their eggs plays a crucial role in determining the sex of the hatchlings.
Cooler sand temperatures produce male sea turtles, while warmer sand tends to result in females.
This temperature-based sex determination is sensitive to climate change, impacting future turtle populations.
Florida faces a shortage of male sea turtlesDue to record-high temperatures in Florida, the sands where sea turtles nest have become significantly hotter.
This has led to an alarming trend where most eggs are hatching as females, resulting in a growing shortage of males.
Sea turtles migrate thousands of milesSea turtles are known for their remarkable migrations.
The leatherback turtle, for example, travels more than 10,000 miles annually across the Pacific Ocean.
Loggerhead turtles have been tracked migrating from Japan to Baja, covering around 8,000 miles.
These long-distance migrations are essential for feeding, breeding, and survival.
They play a vital role in ocean ecosystemsSea turtles are essential for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
They graze on seagrass beds and coral reefs, preventing overgrowth and promoting biodiversity.
By controlling jellyfish and crustacean populations, sea turtles help balance the food web.
Their presence ensures the health of the oceans, benefiting many other species.
Their shells cannot retractUnlike land turtles, sea turtles cannot retract their heads or flippers into their shells.
This makes them more vulnerable to predators like sharks and killer whales.
Hatchlings and eggs face even greater threats from animals such as raccoons and seabirds, making protection crucial for their survival in the wild.
Human activities pose major threatsHuman activity is a significant threat to sea turtles.
Coastal development reduces nesting sites, while artificial light disorients hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean.
Plastic pollution also presents a major danger, with many sea turtles mistaking debris for food, which often results in fatal blockages or entanglement.
There are only 6.
5 million sea turtles leftThe current global sea turtle population is estimated at 6.
5 million, with most species classified as endangered or critically endangered.
This decline is primarily due to habitat loss, illegal hunting, and accidental capture in fishing gear.
Conservation efforts are critical to prevent further decline and to protect these iconic marine species.
Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley turtles are critically endangeredHawksbill turtles, known for their striking shells, have a population of only about 57,000 individuals, making them critically endangered.
Kemp’s ridley turtles, another critically endangered species, are even rarer, with just around 10,000 individuals left.
Both species are under severe threat from climate change and human activities.
Sea turtles thrived during the COVID-19 pandemicDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced human activity on beaches gave sea turtles a break from disturbances.
In Florida, where around 400,000 sea turtle nests were recorded in 2019, researchers found improved nesting success during lockdowns in 2020.
Fewer beachgoers and less waste allowed turtles to thrive without human interference.
Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million yearsSea turtles are among the oldest creatures on Earth, having existed for more than 100 million years.
They have survived drastic changes in the planet’s climate and ecosystem over millennia.
However, their ability to adapt is being tested by the accelerated pace of modern climate change and human impacts on the oceans.
They can hold their breath for hoursSea turtles are highly adapted to life in the ocean and can hold their breath for up to five hours when resting.
When active, they surface every few minutes for air.
This ability is essential for their long dives, especially when they are feeding or avoiding predators in the deep sea.
Excellent navigation skillsThey use the Earth's magnetic fields to navigate thousands of miles, returning to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs.
Sea turtles help combat climate changeBy grazing on seagrass beds, sea turtles play a role in regulating the ocean’s carbon cycle.
Seagrasses absorb carbon dioxide and store it, helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
The health of these underwater meadows depends on sea turtles, as they prevent overgrowth and maintain biodiversity in marine ecosystems.
Conservation efforts Many organisations and governments are working to protect sea turtles through measures like reducing bycatch in fisheries, protecting nesting sites, and banning plastic waste.
The Sea Turtle Conservation Project, in particular, aims to protect species such as the Olive Ridley turtle.
Launched in 1999 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in collaboration with the UNDP, it focuses on Indian coastal states, particularly Orissa.
It uses satellite technology to monitor nesting areas, safeguard breeding habitats, and promote collaboration at national and international levels for turtle conservation efforts.
Also read: Why does Octopus have blue blood?.
