Sea turtles

Definition

Sea turtles are large marine reptiles belonging to the order Chelonii, known for their distinctive shell and adaptation to ocean life. They are ancient creatures that have existed for over 100 million years and play crucial roles in marine ecosystems as grazers and prey. Their life cycle includes long migrations between nesting and feeding grounds, and they are known for their impressive navigation skills.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. There are seven species of sea turtles, including the leatherback, loggerhead, green, hawksbill, olive ridley, flatback, and Kemp's ridley.
2. Sea turtles have a unique ability to hold their breath for extended periods, allowing them to dive deep into the ocean to find food.
3. They play an important role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs by grazing on algae and seagrasses.
4. Most species of sea turtles migrate thousands of miles between feeding grounds and nesting sites, showcasing their incredible navigation skills.
5. Threats to sea turtle populations include climate change, which affects nesting sites, pollution, accidental capture in fishing gear, and illegal trade of their shells and eggs.

Review Questions

• How do sea turtles contribute to the health of marine ecosystems?
  • Sea turtles contribute significantly to marine ecosystems by grazing on seagrass and algae, which helps maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs. Their feeding habits promote biodiversity by allowing various marine species to thrive. By keeping these habitats healthy, sea turtles indirectly support other marine organisms that rely on these ecosystems for survival.
• Discuss the nesting behaviors of sea turtles and the challenges they face during this critical life stage.
  • Sea turtles exhibit remarkable nesting behaviors, returning to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. This process often involves long migrations from feeding grounds. However, these nesting sites face numerous challenges such as habitat destruction due to coastal development, increased human activity on beaches, and rising sea levels caused by climate change. Additionally, predators and poaching pose significant threats to the survival of hatchlings.
• Evaluate the impact of climate change on sea turtle populations and suggest potential conservation strategies.
  • Climate change poses a serious threat to sea turtle populations by altering their nesting habitats through rising temperatures and sea levels. Warmer sands can skew sex ratios in hatchlings towards females, while erosion can destroy nesting sites. Conservation strategies could include creating protected areas for nesting beaches, monitoring populations and habitats for changes due to climate impacts, and increasing awareness about responsible beach practices among local communities to minimize disturbances during nesting season.

Related terms

Chelonii: The scientific order that encompasses all turtle species, including both marine and terrestrial turtles.

Nesting: The process by which female sea turtles return to land to lay eggs on sandy beaches, often returning to the same location where they were born.

Endangered: The conservation status of many sea turtle species, which are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.