Marine turtles are some of the most ancient and fascinating creatures on Earth. They have been around for more than 100 million years and have coexisted with dinosaurs. Marine turtles are found in all of the world’s oceans except for the Arctic Ocean. They are reptiles, but they spend most of their lives in the water. Marine turtles are well-adapted to life in the ocean. They have streamlined shells that help them swim quickly and efficiently. They also have flippers instead of legs, and they can hold their breath for long periods of time.
Marine turtles are facing a number of threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. All seven species of marine turtles are listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act.
Turtles Don’t Have Teeth
Marine turtles do not have teeth, but they have a beak-like mouth that is made of keratin, the same material that makes up human fingernails. This beak is strong and sharp, and it allows marine turtles to grasp and eat a variety of food items, including jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, seagrass, and algae.
The beak of a marine turtle is also adapted to the specific diet of the species. For example, the hawksbill turtle has a narrow, pointed beak that is perfect for reaching into crevices to eat sponges. The loggerhead turtle has a strong, wide beak that is well-suited for crushing hard-shelled prey.
They’re Well ‘Ard
Turtle shells are an amazing feat of engineering. They are made up of over 50 bones that have fused together to form a strong and protective shield. This means that turtles literally wear their bones on the outside! Turtle shells are essential for survival. They protect turtles from predators, the elements, and other hazards. Turtle shells also help turtles to move around. For example, turtles can use their shells to wedge themselves into cracks or to climb over obstacles.
Their Young Lives Are A Mystery
The initial years of a marine turtle’s life are often referred to as the “lost years.” This is because studying the period between when hatchlings first emerge from their nests until they return to coastal shallow waters for feeding is exceptionally challenging. These “lost years,” which can extend for as long as 20 years, largely remain an enigma to us.
They Can Be Ginormous
Marine turtle species exhibit a wide range of sizes. The smallest among them, Kemp’s ridley, typically measures about 70cm in length and can weigh up to 40kg. On the other hand, the leatherback, the largest of them all, can grow up to 180cm long and tip the scales at a whopping 500kg. That’s more than ten times heavier!
It’s Survival Of The Fittest
Approximately 1 in 1,000 marine turtle hatchlings are believed to survive into adulthood. This low survival rate is due to the lengthy period it takes for them to mature and the numerous threats they encounter as hatchlings and young turtles, ranging from predators to marine plastic pollution.
They Make Some Interesting Noises
Female leatherback sea turtles make various strange noises when they’re nesting, including belch-like sounds. These noises are thought to be used for communication, either with other turtles or with their hatchlings.
The belch-like sounds that female leatherback turtles make are thought to be gular pumps. TA specialized muscle in the throat produces these sounds called the gular sac. The gular sac is used to amplify the turtle’s voice and to produce a variety of different sounds.
Sad But Less Salty
Turtles may appear to be crying, but they’re actually expelling excess salt, which they accumulate from swallowing salty seawater. This salt is released through a special gland near the corner of their eye, with a concentration even higher than that of seawater, helping them maintain salt balance.
Life Ain’t A Track Meet, It’s A Marathon
Marine turtles are remarkable long-distance travelers, with the longest known migration being a female leatherback that covered nearly 13,000 miles in 647 days, swimming from Indonesia to the west coast of America. That’s an astonishing average of over 20 miles a day.
They Always Return Home
Female turtles have a remarkable habit of returning to the very beach where they hatched to lay their own eggs in sandy nests. Their incredible navigation skills are guided by their sensitivity to the Earth’s magnetic fields.
