Sea Turtles

By Ms. Gibney and Mrs. Faust

Habitat Tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world

Identification
Their head and neck, arms and legs cannot be retracted into the shell. Their shells consist of an upper part (carapace) and a lower section (plastron). Their jaws have modified "beaks" suited to their particular diet.

Food
Adult leatherback turtles travel extensively on the high seas in search of jellyfish and related prey. Loggerheads and ridleys are omnivores, consuming mollusks, crabs, jellyfish and other invertebrates; fishes and seaweeds are also eaten. The green turtle is an herbivore, preferring to graze in seagrass meadows and on various species of algae in tropical coastal waters. Hawksbills specialize on coral reef sponges and other invertebrates.

Threats
Demand for turtle meat, eggs, skin and colorful shells has dwindled their populations.
Destruction of feeding and nesting habitats and pollution of the world's oceans are all taking a serious toll on remaining sea turtle populations.

Shell Patterns

The upper shell, or carapace, of each sea turtle species ranges in length, color, shape and arrangement of scales.

Reproduction Females must come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand; therefore, all sea turtles begin their lives as tiny hatchlings on land.
An estimated one egg in 1,000 will produce an adult turtle.

Sadly, all are Endangered or Threatened

Sami and Lexi

Delaney and Derek

Kaitlin and Catarina

Jen and Zack

Loggerhead
Kolbie and Kaela

Hawksbill

Green

Brianna and Chris Cody and Mykailah

Tommy and Tony

Kemps Ridley

Konnor and Justine

Olive Ridley

Vincent and Aiden Colin and Cassy Matthew and Michael

Leatherback

On the previous page you saw an icon like this:

Click on the name of a group of students to see their PowerPoint on the turtle they chose. At the end of their show click on the to go back to the page with all the turtles on.