on the beach
Sea Turtles
Order: Testudines
Sea turtles are one of the Earth’s most ancient creatures. The seven species found today became distinct from all other turtles at least 110 million years ago. The sea turtle’s shell, or “carapace”, is streamlined for swimming through the water. Unlike other turtles, sea turtles cannot retract their legs and head into their shells. Their color varies between yellow, greenish and black depending on the species.
Size The Kemp’s Ridley is the smallest sea turtle at 30 inches long and weighing 80 to 100 pounds. The largest sea turtle is the leatherback - an adult can reach over six and a half feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds. Adult female and male sea turtles are the same size.
Lifespan Up to 80 years.
Diet
Depends on the species. Jellyfish, seaweed, crabs, shrimp, sponges, snails, algae and mollusks.
Population
It is difficult to find population numbers for sea turtles because male and juvenile sea turtles do not return to shore once they hatch and reach the ocean, which makes it hard to keep track of them.
Range
Sea turtles are found in warm and temperate waters throughout the world and migrate hundreds of miles between nesting and feeding grounds.
Behavior
Sea turtles spend most of their lives in the water, where not much information can be gathered on their behavior. Most of what is known about sea turtle behavior is obtained by observing hatchlings and females that leave the water to lay eggs. When females come to the shore they dig out a nest in the ground with their back flippers, lay eggs in it, cover it up and go back to the ocean. After hatching, the young may take as long as a week to dig themselves out of the nest. They emerge at night, move toward the ocean and remain there, solitary, until it is time to mate.
Reproduction
Mating Season March-October depending on the species.
Gestation 6-10 weeks.
Clutch size Between 70-190 eggs depending on the
species.
When the young hatch out of their eggs, they make their way to the
ocean. Few survive to adulthood.
Threats
Sea turtles are threatened by coastal development, direct take of turtles and eggs, pollution and pathogens global warming and fisheries impacts. Fisheries impacts are thought to be one of the leading causes for sea turtle death and injury worldwide and can occur when turtles bite baited hooks, become entangled in fishing lines, are crushed by dredges, or otherwise held underwater by a variety of fishing methods.
Defenders of Wildlife works with conservation partners to protect coastal beaches used by sea turtles as nesting sanctuaries and educate coastal home and hotel owners on how to keep their lights dim as to not interrupt turtle nesting seasons. Defenders is also working to ensure that fisheries around the world use turtle friendly methods and gear.
Legal Status/Protection
CITES* (All sea turtles are included in Appendix I of CITES), Endangered Species Act** (Six out of seven sea turtle species are protected by the Endangered Species Act).
*Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with 172 member countries. Appendix I species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.
** The Endangered Species Act requires the US government to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both. In doing so, the Act works to ensure the basic health of our natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren.
How You Can Help
- Help sea turtles and other wildlife by adopting a sea turtle today at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
- Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.
- Take these 5 steps to save sea turtles in your community.
For additional information
Defenders' Sea Turtle Conservation Efforts
Caribbean Conservation Corporation
State of the World's Sea Turtles
Sea World: Sea Turtles
