MArine
Turtle
–
CARETTA
CARETTA
For more than 100 million years marine turtles have covered vast distances
oceans, performing a vital and integral role in marine and
across the world's
︎
coastal ecosystems. Over the last 200 years human activities have tipped the
scales against the survival of these ancient mariners. Urgent global action is
needed to ensure their future. ︎
Most marine turtle species spend much of their lives in continental shelf waters.
Males do not leave the sea and females only come ashore to lay their eggs on
sandy beaches during the appropriate season.︎
Once the hatchlings exit their nest and reach the sea, a swimming frenzy ensues
to reach open ocean zones where currents meet, and where the small turtles
find food and refuge from their many predators. Only once marine turtles
become adults do they return to the beach area where they were born to lay
their own eggs.︎
The long time to reach maturity and the many natural dangers faced by
hatchlings and juveniles mean that as few as 1 in 1,000 eggs will survive to
adulthood.︎