1. Maia McGuire, PhD Sea Grant Extension Agent
Sea Turtles
Maia McGuire, PhD
Sea Grant Extension Agent

2. Sea turtle, terrapin or tortoise?
Where does it live (ocean, fresh water or land)?
Can it retract its flippers and head into its shell?
All lay eggs on land.
All are reptiles.

3. Some fresh water “turtles”
                                                                                 
                                                                                 
Softshell turtle
Alligator snapping turtle
Diamondback terrapin
Red-eared mud slider

4. Land “turtle”
Gopher turtle

5. Turtle anatomy Carapace (upper shell) Plastron (lower shell)
Scutes (plates that make up the shell)
Medial, lateral, marginal

6. Sea turtles Common characteristics Types Life history strategies
Threats
Conservation

7. Sea turtle characteristics
Cannot retract flippers, head into shell
Salt glands behind eyes secrete salt (“tears”)
Nesting females return to the beach where they hatched (summer months)
Sex of turtle hatchlings is determined by temperature (warm= female; cool = male)

8. Loggerhead turtle Named for its large head
Adults: lbs, carapace about 3’ long
Main foods are crustaceans, clams, etc.
Mature in yrs
Adults stay close to shore, feed in estuaries or on continental shelf
Reddish-brown carapace

9. Loggerheads are the most common nesting sea turtle in Florida
Nests contain eggs
One turtle nests 4-7 times per season, every 2+ years
Eggs incubate for 60 days
Hatchlings are 1.5-2” long
Listed as a threatened species (U.S.)

10. Green Sea Turtle Named for its green body fat
Adults: lbs, carapace about 3’ long
Main food is seagrass
Mature in yrs
Olive-brown carapace
Formerly hunted for soup

11. Many green turtles are infected with fibropapilloma virus
Nesting green turtles in Florida are federally listed as an endangered species
Many green turtles are infected with fibropapilloma virus
Nests contain eggs
One turtle nests 2-7 times per season, every 2+ years
Eggs incubate for 60 days
Hatchlings are 1.5-2” long

12. Leatherback turtle
Back is covered with leathery skin, with 7 ridges running down the back
Largest of the sea turtles—adults are 4-8’ long and weigh lbs
Main food is jellyfish
Can dive to 3000 feet
Can regulate body
temperature
National Marine Fisheries Service

13. Some leatherbacks (30-60) nest in Florida each year
Nests contain 80 fertile eggs & 30 unfertilized eggs
One turtle nests 6-9 times per season, every 2-3 years
Eggs incubate for 65 days
Hatchlings are 2.5” long
Leatherback turtles are federally listed as an endangered species

14. Hawksbill Turtle Named for its beak
Adults: lbs, carapace about 2.5’ long
Main food is sponges
Mature in 3-5 yrs in captivity
Patterned carapace
Formerly hunted for its shell (tortoiseshell)
NOAA

15. Nest in the tropics; only a few nests are found in Florida each year
Nests contain 160 eggs
One turtle nests 2-4 times per season, every 2+ years
Eggs incubate for 60 days
Hawksbill turtles are federally listed as an endangered species

16. Kemp’s Ridley Rarest sea turtle in the world
Adult carapace is feet long, weighs lbs
Main food is crabs
Shell is olive-gray
        

17. Nests in daytime
Only nests on one beach (Mexico)—mass nesting called “arribada” (arrival)
Each turtle lays 2 clutches per year, each year
Nests contain 105 eggs
Eggs incubate for 55 days
Hatchlings are 1.5” long
Federally listed as an endangered species

18. Early life history strategies
Hatchlings swim out to the Gulf Stream
Young turtles are carried around the Atlantic Ocean by oceanic currents for as long as years
Young turtles are often found in floating mats of Sargassum seaweed
Less than 1% probably survive 1 year; 1 in 10,000 may reach maturity

20. Threats Natural Threats to eggs Predators (of hatchlings)
Raccoons
Storms/flooding
Predators (of hatchlings)
Ghost crabs, sea birds, sharks, fish
Predators (of adults)
Sharks, killer whales

21. Human threats Alteration of beaches/shorelines Artificial lighting
Beach driving
Fishing gear
Boat strikes
Poaching
Marine debris (plastics, balloons)

22. Conservation efforts Lighting ordinances Habitat conservation plans
Turtle excluder devices
Volunteer turtle patrols
Satellite tagging