Sea+turtles

**//SEA TURTLES//**



**// W H A T I S A S E A T U R T L E ? //**  Sea turtles are large air-breathing reptiles that live in tropical seas. A sea turtle begins its life on the shores of a beach where the female sea turtle lays its eggs on the shore where it was originally born. Sea turtles in the United States will nest from April through October. The sea turtle has an upper shell called a carapace and a lower shell called a plastron. Hard scales or scutes cover all species, with the exception of the leatherback turtle. Sea turtles scales differ based upon the type of species. They have beaks to help them eat their food. They have a very good sense of smell and sight, but they are nearsighted when they are out of the water. **Species of Sea Turtles** || **Green Turtle** || **Leatherback **  || **Hawksbill **  || ** Kemp's Ridley ** || **Olive Ridley **  || **Australian Flatback ** **﻿ ** ||
 * **Loggerhead** 
 * * Seen most often in the U.S.
 * <span style="color: #330000; font-family: comic sans,comic sans ms,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Adults can weigh up to 350 pounds
 * 32-41 inches long
 * 4-7 nests per season
 * Eggs incubate 60 days
 * Average number of eggs is 100-126
 * Classified as threatened || * <span style="color: #330000; font-family: comic sans,comic sans ms,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Nest in large numbers on east coast of Florida
 * Females that nest in Florida weigh about 300 pounds
 * Average length is 3 feet or more
 * Nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years
 * Average 115 eggs per nest
 * Largest nesting site is in Costa Rica
 * Considered endangered around the world || * <span style="color: #330000; font-family: comic sans,comic sans ms,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Few nest on east coast of Florida each year
 * Grows the largest of all species-650 to 1300 pounds
 * Length is 4-8 feet
 * Nest every 2-3 years
 * Incubation is about 65 days with about 80 fertilized eggs
 * Feed on jellyfish
 * Only species without hard shell
 * Endangered species || * <span style="color: #330000; font-family: comic sans,comic sans ms,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Rarely nest in North America
 * Smaller species measuring 30-36 inches in length and weighing 100-150 pounds
 * Nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years
 * Average of 160 eggs per nest
 * People kill this species for their shells which is causing them to become endangered || * <span style="color: #330000; font-family: comic sans,comic sans ms,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Major breeding site is in Mexico
 * Smallest of all species measuring 24 inches and 77-100 pounds
 * Nest annually
 * Lay 2 nests during each season with each nest containing about 105 eggs
 * Incubation time 55 days
 * Most endangered of all sea turtles || * <span style="color: #330000; font-family: comic sans,comic sans ms,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">One of most common sea turtle species found worldwide
 * Adults measure 30 inches and weigh about 100 pounds
 * Nest annually
 * Lay about 2 nests each season
 * Each nest has about 110 eggs
 * Incubation time is about 52-58 days
 * Numbers are declining because of commercial fishing and loss of nesting habitat || * <span style="color: #330000; font-family: comic sans,comic sans ms,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Found in waters around Australia and New Guinea
 * Adults are just over 36 inches in length and weigh an average of 200 pounds
 * Nests 4 times per season
 * Average 50 eggs per nest
 * Eggs incubate about 55 days
 * Eggs are large for body size
 * Threatened species because of being captured, harvesting eggs, oil spills, caught in fishing nets ||