Question: How long can sea turtles live?

Answer: Sea turtles are among the longest living creatures on the planet. Some species, like the hawksbill and green turtles, can live for more than 80 years. This remarkable lifespan is due in part to their slow metabolism and few natural predators once they reach adulthood.

Question: What is the largest species of sea turtle?

Answer: The leatherback turtle holds the title for being the largest. An average adult can measure up to 7 feet in length and weigh about 2,000 pounds. Their size is not the only unique feature; they also have a soft shell, unlike other sea turtles which have hard, bony shells.

Question: Do sea turtles drink sea water?

Answer: Yes, sea turtles do drink sea water. They have special glands near their eyes, known as salt glands, which help them expel the excess salt absorbed from the sea water. This adaptation allows them to stay hydrated in their salty ocean habitat.

Question: Can sea turtles retract into their shells?

Answer: Unlike some land turtles and tortoises, sea turtles cannot retract their heads or flippers into their shells. Their shells are streamlined to aid in swimming, and the fixed exposure of their limbs and head is a trade-off for enhanced mobility in water.

Question: How do sea turtles navigate?

Answer: Sea turtles have a remarkable ability to navigate across the oceans. They use the Earth's magnetic field as a guide, which is like having a built-in compass. This magnetic sense helps them return to the exact beach where they were born, sometimes traveling thousands of miles, to lay their eggs.

Question: What do sea turtles eat?

Answer: Sea turtle diets vary by species. Green turtles are primarily herbivores, feeding on seagrasses and algae. Loggerheads eat crustaceans and mollusks, while leatherbacks prefer jellyfish. Hawksbills, known for their beautiful shells, feed mainly on sponges.

Question: Why do sea turtles come ashore?

Answer: Female sea turtles come ashore for one critical reason: to lay eggs. After mating in the water, they return to the beach of their birth to dig nests in the sand and deposit their eggs. This remarkable homing instinct ensures the continuation of their species.

Question: How many eggs does a sea turtle lay?

Answer: The number of eggs a sea turtle lays varies by species. On average, they lay between 70 to 190 eggs in a nest. For instance, a loggerhead typically lays about 120 eggs per nest. However, not all these eggs will hatch, and even fewer hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Question: Are sea turtles endangered?

Answer: Yes, many sea turtle species are considered endangered or vulnerable. Threats include habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and accidental capture in fishing gear. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these ancient mariners and their habitats.

Question: How do sea turtles contribute to their ecosystem?

Answer: Sea turtles play vital roles in their ecosystems. For example, green turtles maintain seagrass beds, which are important breeding grounds for many marine species. Hawksbills help control sponge populations, ensuring a balanced reef ecosystem. Their nests also provide nutrients to beach ecosystems.