sea turtles… endangered! by: mollie plekan. background largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the...
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Sea Turtles…Endangered!
By: Mollie Plekan
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Background
• largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world.
• It ranges in length from 2 to 6 feet with males averaging a little larger than females.
• Adult females weigh on average 300 pounds and males weigh just a little more.
• They live in warm, shallow oceans, where they spend all of their lives.
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Mating Time
• These turtles travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to their own hatching grounds to mate and nest
• Females deposit their eggs at night in a process that takes 2 hours
• The average clutch size is 110-115 eggs, and clutches are produced every 2-4 years
• The temperature of the incubating eggs determines the sex of the turtle hatchlings
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Why are they Endangered?
• Costal areas are very sensitive, must be managed carefully – breeding area/incubation of eggs
• Overdevelopment/erosion of beaches– Planting non-native species reduces nesting habitat– Artificial light defers females away from nesting
• Causes hatchlings to move in wrong direction – away from ocean and toward the light
– Marinas/docks loss to turtle’s feeding habitat– ORVs – difficult for babies to dig out of sand– Recreational boats causes collisions with boats
• Temperature during incubation determines sex – Sex ratios may change
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Why are they Endangered? (continued)
• Human factor– Consumption of eggs/meat– Sale of turtle leather and shells
• Common to capture sea turtles in Caribbean, not so much in the United States
• Fishing practices result in accidental capture & death of sea turtles – trapped/tangled in nets
• Marine pollution – sea turtles eat ocean garbage affecting metabolism and digestive system
• Oils spills have negative effects on sea turtles respiratory system, skin and blood chemistry
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How are they Protected?
• Protected in the United States under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973
• CITES – green sea turtle protection in over 150 countries
• The ESA – prohibits capture, possession, sale, and
hunting of green sea turtles– Gives money and land to states to aid
conservation efforts– Civil and criminal punishment on violators
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Public Help!
• Avoid nests and nesting area• Keep bright lights from shining on the
beach• Keep litter off the beach• Report poachers to authorities• Get educated!
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Works Cited
• http://www.earlham.edu/~klostma/greenseaturtle.htm
• http://www.reelmovienews.com/gallery/crush-the-sea-turtle/