![]() Most than 90% of hatchlings are eaten by these predators.įlatback turtle nests are susceptible to predation by monitor lizards, dingoes, and introduced foxes. Killer whales have been known to prey on leatherback turtles.įishes, dogs, seabirds, raccoons, crabs and flocks of gulls, and other predators prey on eggs and hatchlings. Tiger sharks, in particular, are known for eating sea turtles. Although sea turtles cannot withdraw their heads into their shells, the adults are protected from predators by their shells, large size and thick scaly skin on their heads and necks. Sea grass beds provide breeding and developmental grounds for numerous species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans.Īdult sea turtles have few predators, mostly large sharks. Sea turtles act as grazing animals that keep the sea grass short and help maintain the health of the sea grass beds. Sea turtles, especially green sea turtles, are one of the few animals that eat sea grass. The fastest turtles are the leatherbacks which have been known to swim at speeds of over 20 miles per hour.Each species tend to specialise in different diet.These tears are from special glands that allow them to get rid of extra salt they get by living in salt water oceans. ![]() Sea turtles sometimes look like they are crying.They can live off of the water they get from their food. Sea turtles don't need a supply of fresh water. Along the way to the sea, they face a variety of predatory crabs, rats, mongooses, cats, dogs and pigs.Leatherback sea turtles have been known to dive over 1000 feet deep in the ocean.Hawksbills are distinguished by their prominent hooked beak (. Many sea turtles can hold their breath for over 30 minutes. The hawksbill turtle is the only other type of sea turtle that is still found nesting on Tioman.They are very vulnerable to predators during this time. Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings head for the water. The eggs are left defenseless and become prime food for many predators. Then the mothers leave and go back into the ocean. ![]() ![]() Mother sea turtles lay lots of eggs on the beach in a hole they dig. However, baby Sea turtles are highly vulnerable when they are born. Grown sea turtles have very few predators. Sometimes the back flippers are used for digging holes where the turtle lays eggs.ĭepending on the species and age of the turtle, sea turtles eat all kinds of food including sea grass, seaweed, crabs, jellyfish, and shrimp. The front flippers are used to propel the turtle through the water while the back flippers are used for steering. These flippers can also help propel them on land, but not very well, making sea turtles easy prey to predators on land. Sea turtles have flippers that enable them to swim well. Sea turtles don't retract into their shells like some turtles. Some are oval and some are more heart shaped. Different species have different shaped shells. The top side of the shell that we see is called the carapace. Like other turtles, sea turtles have a hard shell that acts as armor and protects them from predators. They grow to around 2 feet long and 100 pounds. The largest is the leatherback which can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh well over 1,000 pounds! The smallest are the olive ridley and the Kemp's ridley turtles. The critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle is the first reptile scientists have seen exhibiting biofluorescence the ability to reflect the blue light hitting a surface and re-emit it as a.
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