Marine Sea Turtles Shederia Williams & Tahlia Florestant Period 2

General and Background Information Marine Sea Turtles vary in color. Colors can range from olive- green, greenish-brown, yellow or black. Green sea turtles get their name from the color of their body fat.

Characterized by large streamlined shell. Doral (top side) is called Carapace. Ventral (bottom side) called Plastron. All species of sea turtles have shells covered with a layer of plates (scores) except the leatherback. Their large bony shells provide protection and abrasion.

Sea turtles cant retract their heads back into their shells like land turtles. Have large eyelids that protect eyes. Do not have external ear openings. Sea turtles lack teeth, so their jaw shape is adapted to their diet.

Sexual Dimorphism Don’t start to show an obvious external change until they approach adulthood. Males have longer and thicker tails than females. (may extend beyond their flipper) Male organs are housed in base of tails. Claws on a males fore flipper is used for grasping the female sea turtle while mating.

Reproduction Males never leave the sea, while females only go to shore to lay their eggs. Adult males and females migrate from their feeding location to the nearest nesting beach during nesting season (march-October). Multiple males may be able to court one female.

Evolution Its said that the first sea turtles were on the Earth around 245 million years ago. In theory, sea creatures, like sea turtles, were once land animals that evolved to underwater survival. Their hard shells were developed over time for protection.

Seven different types of Sea Turtles Leatherback Kemp & Olive Ridley Green Sea Turtle Loggerheads Hawksbill Flatbacks

Leatherback Sea Turtles Leatherbacks weigh between 550-1,500 Ibs. Adults are between 6 – 7.2 feet in size. Leatherback sea turtles are the largest of their kind.

Diet Commonly referred to as “gelatinivores” because of their gelatinous prey. Jellyfish, tunicates, sea squirts, and other soft-bodied animals. Have two sharp upper and lower cusps allowing them to pierce through the soft- bodied animals.

Shells Somewhat rubbery and flexible. Ridges along the shell assist with their hydrodynamic structure. Habitat Tropic, temperate waters of pacific, Indian, and Atlantic ocean. Also may be found in Mediterranean. Adult Males migrate northern to Canada and Norway, and as far south as South America and New Zealand. Leatherbacks undergo longest migration compared to any other sea turtle. leatherback sea turtle

Kemp Ridley Recognized as some of the smallest sea turtles. About 2 feet. Weigh about 100 ibs. Size Shell Have broad shells. Usually a light gray- olive color. Plastron is an eggshell, light yellow color.

Diet Habitat Crabs and other shellfish. Occasionally eat jellyfish. Snack on seaweed. Found primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. Can be found as north as Nova Scotia. Prefer shallow waters for feeding purposes.

Olive Ridley Very similar in size to Kemp ridley; smallest. Adults weigh at almost 100ibs. Adults grow to be 24 – 30 inches long. Young's are 1.5 inches long and usually only weigh a couple ounces. Shells are olive colored (where it gets its name). Shell is also Heart- shaped. Size Shells

Diet Habitat Omnivores but most are carnivores. Jellyfish, crabs, shrimps, and snails. Occasionally eat seaweed and algae. Nesting sites are worldwide in both tropical and subtropical beaches. Solitary animals and prefer the open ocean.

Green Sea Turtle Size Adults are 3 – 4 feet in length. Weight of an adult is between ibs. Shell Wide and smooth Brownish olive to black in color. Plastron is yellow. Green sea turtles

Diet Adults are strictly herbivores. Juveniles are omnivores. Primarily eat seagrass, algae, and seaweed. Saw-like beaks make it easier for them to tear through seagrasses and seaweed and helps scrape algae off rock. Habitat Habitat may vary depending on their life stage. Mature green sea turtles spend most of their time in costal, shallow waters. Seagrass meadows, lagoons, and inshore bays.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Size Turtles range about 253 ibs and about 36 inches long. Shell Heart-shaped. Adult shells are reddish-brown. Plastron is usually a yellowish-brown color. Juveniles have a dark brown shell color. Habitat: Coastal bays and shallow water that run along the continental shelves of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic ocean.

Diet Carnivorous Feed on shellfish on the ocean floor. Horseshoe crabs, mussels, clams, and other kinds of invertebrates. Have powerful jaws which help them crush the shells on their food.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle Size Mature are feet in length. Adults can weigh between pounds Diet Sponges, squid, shrimp, and anemones. Shell Bony with no ridges. Elliptical shape. Adult shell is usually orange, brown, or yellow in color. Hatchling shell is brown with a couple pale spots. Habitat Typically found in costal reefs, estuaries, rocky areas, and lagoons.

Flatback Sea Turtles Size Adults can grow up to 325 feet and weigh to about 198 ibs. Shells Gets name from large oval flat shell. Olive-grey color. Contains pale brown/yellow tone on the margins of shell. Diet Sea cucumbers, mollusks, prawns, jellyfish bryozoans, and snack on seaweed. Habitat: They prefer turbid inshore waters, bays, coastal, and grassy shallows. Turtle Hatching Hatching

Bibliography riority_species/marine_turtles/marine_turtles_reproduction_facts/

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