![]() ![]() ![]() Unlike other species, sea turtles cannot retract their paddle-shaped flippers and head into their shells. The shell is part of a turtle’s spine, evolved from the ribs into an exterior bone covered in tough skin. Sea Turtles Do Not Retract Into Their Shells and Are Thus More Vulnerable You might also like: 12 of the Most Endangered Animals in the World 5. 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. They also provide sustenance for other fish since barnacles, algae, and small organisms can cling to their shells, supporting a robust food web. Some sea turtles also prey upon jellyfish and crustaceans, keeping their population numbers under control. Sea Turtles Play A Crucial Role In Maintaining the Ecosystem of the World’s Oceansīy 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. Other species such as green turtles and olive ridleys prefer to stay close to home and thus cover much shorter migration distances. ![]() Loggerheads have been observed migrating from Japan to Baja, covering a distance of approximately 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles). The leatherback turtle, for example, can travel some 16,000 kilometres (10,000 miles) or even more across the Pacific Ocean each year. Sea Turtles Migrate Thousands of Miles in their Lifetimesīoth male and female sea turtles migrate long distances from high seas to nesting beaches during their lifetimes. Fluctuations in temperatures during the two-month incubation period typically result in a mix of male and female turtles. Cooler incubation temperatures produce males while warmer sand often results in females. The sand temperature is extremely important as it determines the hatchlings’ sex. Turtles usually lay 100 to 125 eggs at a time, and nest multiple times over several months. The eggs of marine turtles cannot survive underwater they lay their eggs in a nest they dig in the sand with their rear flippers. Sand Temperature Determines the Sex of Sea Turtles Yet, the most consistent estimate shows that some sea turtles can live about 70 or even 80 years. Marine species sometimes take two to three decades to mature and remain actively reproductive for another 10 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. 7 Interesting Facts About Sea Turtles 1. In this article, we take a closer look at 7 interesting and mind-blowing facts about sea turtles. Indeed, increasing global temperatures have important implications for sea turtle management and survival. Sea turtles are not only beautiful animals but they also show incredible perseverance and resilience amid a changing world and climates. Earth.Org is powered by over 150 contributing writers ![]()
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