Did you know....

 

Seven different species of sea (or marine) turtles grace our ocean waters:

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)

Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Flatback (Natator depressa)

 

Six of the seven species are threatened or endangered.  Kemp's Ridley is the most endangered of all sea turtles.

 

Sea Turtles are reptiles, a class of cold-blooded vertebrates.  A sea turtle’s body temperature varies with the environment.

 

After hatching, sea turtles spend their entire lives in the ocean.  Only the female sea turtle comes ashore.  She returns to lay her eggs.

 

The ability of a sea turtle to migrate hundreds (and occasionally thousands) of miles from its feeding grounds to its nesting beach is one of the most remarkable acts in the animal kingdom. Adult females often return faithfully to nest on the very beach where they were born.  Amazing!

 

Sea Turtles do not have teeth!

 

Sea Turtles can not pull themselves into their shells like land turtles.

 

Adult male and female sea turtles are equal in size.

 

Sea Turtles can see well under water but are shortsighted in the air.

 

After baby sea turtles reach the water, they generally remain alone until they find a partner!  They are gentle and solitary creatures.

 

Almost a decade may pass from the time baby turtles hatch and take their first swim until they return to coastal waters to feed as juveniles. This period of time is known as the "lost years" since following sea turtles movements during this phase is difficult, and their whereabouts are often unknown.

 

Size!!!  Kemp's Ridley is the smallest sea turtle at 30 inches long (.762m). The largest sea turtle is the Leatherback - an adult can reach over six and a half feet long (over 1.8m).

 

Sea Turtles lay between 70-190 eggs depending on the species!

 

Of all the sea turtles that nest in the United States, the Loggerhead is the one seen most often.

 

The Leatherback is the champion of sea turtles!  It is the largest, dives the deepest, and travels the farthest.

 

We can #SaveTheTurtles.