Sea+Turtles

Sea Turtles  Sea Turtles are large turtles that spend most of their lives in the seas. They live in shallow coastal waters of warm seas. There are many types of sea turtles, including the Loggerhead, the Green Turtle, the Leatherback, the Flatback, and many others. All Sea Turtle species are considered endangered or threatened. These cold-blooded animals are strong swimmers and good divers. They have four flipper-like legs and a shell that is attached to their backbone. They cannot pull their head and legs into the shell. These turtles vary in color from shades of brown to green to black. Sea turtles vary in size from 2 to 6 feet long, weighing 78 to 1900 pounds. During active times, turtles must go to the sea's surface every few minutes in order to breathe air.

Most sea turtles are carnivores or meat eaters, but the green turtle is an herbovore or a plant eater, they eats sea grass and algae. Most sea turtles eat crabs, lobster, and shrimp as well as shellfish, jelly fish, and and small fish.

Adult female Sea Turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay up to 200 soft-shelled eggs in the sand. When the baby turtles hatch, they immediately head for the nearby water. Many young turtles are eaten by birds and other predators during this difficult trip. It has been estimated that only 1 out of every 100 of these hatchlings will reach adulthood. No one knows how the females find the beach where they were born. media type="custom" key="9198086"