Facts
What is a sea turtle?
Sea turtles are large, air-breathing reptiles that inhabit tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. Their shells consist of an upper part (carapace) and a lower section (plastron). Hard scales (or scutes) cover all but the leatherback, and the number and arrangement of these scutes can be used to determine the species.
What does a sea turtle look like?
Sea turtles are characterized by a large, streamlined shell and non-retractile head and limbs. Unlike other turtles, sea turtles cannot pull their limbs and head inside their shells. Their limbs are flippers that are adapted for swimming, so they are vulnerable while on land.
Are sea turtles considered solitary creatures?
Yes, sea turtles are considered solitary creatures.
Where do sea turtles live?
Sea turtles can be found all around the world, from the cold waters off California to the warm beaches of the Coral Triangle. Males never leave the ocean, while females will come ashore to lay their eggs on sandy beaches during the nesting season.
How many kind of sea turtles are there?
There are 7 different types of sea turtles.
Name at least 3 kinds of sea turtles from the 7 different species.
Green Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Flatback Sea Turtle
If you chose any of these, you are correct!
What do sea turtles eat?
Loggerhead: Hatchlings are omnivores (meaning they eat both animals and plants) but adults are carnivores, favoring crabs, whelks, and conchs.
Green: Fully grown sea turtles are herbivores and like to hang around coral reefs to scrape off seagrass and algae.
How long does a sea turtle live for?
Sea turtles live a long time (some can live up to 50 years or more) and have similar lifespans to humans. Most marine turtles take decades to mature—between 20 and 30 years—and remain actively reproductive for another 10 years.
Which sea turtle are considered herbivores? Loggerhead or Green Turtle?
Green Turtles are considered herbivores!
Can sea turtles lay eggs?
Yes! The female sea turtles are the ones that have the ability to lay eggs!
Do sea turtles live alone or in groups?
Sea turtles are generally solitary creatures that remain submerged for much of the time they are at sea, which makes them extremely difficult to study. They rarely interact with one another outside of courtship and mating. Ridleys, however, do come together in massive groups during nesting.
What is the name of a sea turtle's upper shell?
Carapace
Are all sea turtles the same?
No, there are many different types of sea turtles who exhibit different behaviors.
Which sea turtle NEVER leaves the ocean? Male or female?
MALE!
Which type of sea turtle gets together for nesting?
Ridley turtles!