8 Interesting Facts About Sea Turtles
June 16 marks World Sea Turtle Day. These amazing creatures are not only beautiful animals but they also show incredible perseverance and resilience amid a changing world and climates. To celebrate and highlight their importance, these are some of the most interesting facts about sea turtles.
—
1. Sea Turtles Can Live Up To 50 Years
While it is difficult to document the exact age of any species of sea turtles, scientists found that these creatures have similar life spans to humans. Marine species sometimes take two to three decades to mature and remain actively reproductive for another 10 years. Yet, the most consistent estimate shows that some sea turtles can live about 70 or even 80 years.
2. Sand Temperature Determines the Sex of Sea Turtles
The eggs of marine turtles cannot survive underwater; they lay their eggs in a nest they dig in the sand with their rear flippers. Turtles usually lay 100 to 125 eggs at a time, and nest multiple times over several months. The sand temperature is extremely important as it determines the hatchlings’ sex. Cooler incubation temperatures produce males while warmer sand often results in females. Fluctuations in temperatures during the two-month incubation period typically result in a mix of male and female turtles.
3. Sea Turtles Migrate Thousands of Miles in their Lifetimes
Both male and female sea turtles migrate long distances from high seas to nesting beaches during their lifetimes. The leatherback turtle, for example, can travel some 16,000 kilometres (10,000 miles) or even more across the Pacific Ocean each year. Loggerheads have been observed migrating from Japan to Baja, covering a distance of approximately 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles). Other species such as green turtles and olive ridleys prefer to stay close to home and thus cover much shorter migration distances.
4. Sea Turtles Play A Crucial Role In Maintaining the Ecosystem of the World’s Oceans
By grazing on seagrass beds and sea sponges within coral reefs, sea turtles prevent overgrowth, which in turn improves current flows and nitrogen production while promoting healthy cultivation of flora and fauna. Some sea turtles also prey upon jellyfish and crustaceans, keeping their population numbers under control.
They also provide sustenance for other fish since barnacles, algae, and small organisms can cling to their shells, supporting a robust food web. These positive feedback loops and the recycling of nutrients are vital for marine habitats, and due to their migratory lifestyles, sea turtles can transport nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from the oceans to the beaches they nest upon. Read More...
