Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are ancient marine reptiles that have glided through Earth's oceans for over 100 million years, surviving the catastrophe that claimed the dinosaurs. These graceful creatures are found in every ocean except the Arctic, with seven extant species ranging from the small Kemp's ridley (under 3 feet) to the leatherback, which can exceed 6 feet and weigh nearly a ton.

All sea turtles are herbivores or omnivores, munching seagrass, jellyfish, and sponges depending on species. They navigate vast oceanic migrations using Earth's magnetic fields, returning to the beaches where they were born—sometimes decades later—to lay their own eggs in the sand. Hatchlings face a perilous journey to the sea, where countless predators await.

Today, sea turtles face severe threats from ocean pollution, particularly plastic waste, fishing nets, and climate change, which disrupts nesting beaches and alters ocean temperatures. Human activity has pushed several species toward extinction. Conservation efforts range from protected nesting sites to international agreements limiting trade and fishing practices.

These creatures are ecological engineers, maintaining seagrass beds and controlling jellyfish populations, making their survival vital to ocean ecosystems and human communities that depend on healthy seas.

Related

Marine Conservation, Ocean Ecosystems, Animal Migration, Endangered Species, Plastic Pollution