Sea turtles: Living dinosaurs

Did you know that sea turtles have lived on Earth for over 200 million years? That means these reptiles existed back when dinosaurs still roamed our planet! They even look a bit like dinosaurs, don’t you think? Every two or three years, female sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs (between 80 and 120) in nests in the sand. The incubation period is about two months. The temperature inside the nest determines if the babies become male or female. They usually hatch at night, and they are born with an instinct to move toward the open horizon – the sea. Then the race begins to make it past the hungry crabs and birds on the beach! Sea turtles move gracefully through water. On land, they can seem a little clumsy or slow, but really, really cute! Some of the oldest sea turtles have lived to be more than 175 years old. That means the oldest living sea turtles today may have been born around the same time as your great-great-great-great-great-grandparents! Five Fun Facts: - Home: Warm subtropical and tropical ocean waters - Years on Earth: 200 million - Favorite food: Jellyfish, seaweed, sponges and molluscs - Size: There are seven known types of sea turtles, varying in sizes. The biggest one, the leatherback, can grow up to 2.7 meters (almost 9 feet) and weigh 900 kg – that’s about 11 average-sized dads! - Environmental threats: In a matter of a few decades, sea turtles have become one of the most endangered species on our planet. Habitat loss, poaching, illegal pet trade and pollution are the biggest threats to their future. Plastic waste in the ocean can look like jellyfish, and light pollution near nests can confuse hatchlings so they can’t find the water. Want to become a Sea Life Friend? Here’s how: 1. Push the purple pledge button 2. Download, print and sign the pledge to do your best to take care of the sea and all life inside it! Thank you for being an amazing Sea Life Friend!