Sea TurtlesSea TurtlesByBy
Ms. Gibney and Mrs. FaustMs. Gibney and Mrs. Faust
HabitatHabitat
Tropical and subtropical Tropical and subtropical seas throughout the seas throughout the
worldworld
Identification Identification
Their head and neck, arms Their head and neck, arms and legs cannot be retracted and legs cannot be retracted
into the shell.into the shell.Their shells consist of an Their shells consist of an
upper part (carapace) and a upper part (carapace) and a lower section (plastron).lower section (plastron).Their jaws have modified Their jaws have modified "beaks" suited to their "beaks" suited to their
particular diet.particular diet.
Food Food
Adult Adult leatherbackleatherback turtles travel turtles travel extensively on the high seas in search extensively on the high seas in search
of jellyfish and related prey. of jellyfish and related prey. LoggerheadsLoggerheads and and ridleysridleys are are
omnivores, consuming mollusks, omnivores, consuming mollusks, crabs, jellyfish and other crabs, jellyfish and other
invertebrates; fishes and seaweeds invertebrates; fishes and seaweeds are also eaten. The are also eaten. The green turtlegreen turtle is is an herbivore, preferring to graze in an herbivore, preferring to graze in seagrass meadows and on various seagrass meadows and on various species of algae in tropical coastal species of algae in tropical coastal waters. waters. HawksbillsHawksbills specialize on specialize on
coral reef sponges and other coral reef sponges and other invertebrates.invertebrates.
Threats Threats
Demand for turtle meat, eggs, Demand for turtle meat, eggs, skin and colorful shells has skin and colorful shells has dwindled their populations.dwindled their populations.
Destruction of feeding and Destruction of feeding and nesting habitats and pollution nesting habitats and pollution of the world's oceans are all of the world's oceans are all
taking a serious toll on taking a serious toll on remaining sea turtle remaining sea turtle
populations.populations.
Shell Patterns Shell Patterns
The upper The upper
shell, or shell, or carapace, of carapace, of each sea turtle each sea turtle species ranges species ranges in length, color, in length, color, shape and shape and arrangement of arrangement of scales.scales.
Reproduction Reproduction
Females must come Females must come ashore to lay their eggs ashore to lay their eggs
in the sand; therefore, all in the sand; therefore, all sea turtles begin their sea turtles begin their lives as tiny hatchlings lives as tiny hatchlings
on land.on land.
An estimated one egg in An estimated one egg in 1,000 will produce an 1,000 will produce an
adult turtle.adult turtle.
Sadly, all are Sadly, all are EndangeredEndangered
or Threatenedor Threatened
Loggerhead
Kemp’s Ridley
Hawksbill
Leatherback
Green
Olive Ridley
Cody and Mykailah
Sami and Lexi
Kaitlin and Catarina
Kolbie and Kaela
Brianna and Chris
Delaney and Derek
Jen and Zack
Tommy and Tony
Colin and CassyMatthew and Michael
Vincent and AidenKonnor and Justine
On the previous page you saw an icon like On the previous page you saw an icon like this:this:
Click on the name of a group of students to Click on the name of a group of students to see their PowerPoint on the turtle they see their PowerPoint on the turtle they chose.chose.
At the end of their show click on the to At the end of their show click on the to go back to the page with all the turtles on.go back to the page with all the turtles on.