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Green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Author Brocken Inaglory.

Top 10 Facts about Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are fascinating and ancient creatures that have captured the imaginations of people around the world. These remarkable reptiles have been swimming in the world’s oceans for over 100 million years, and today, they face a range of threats from habitat loss to climate change.

It is important to learn about these creatures as they play a key role in maintaining the health of coral reefs, as they eat algae that can smother and kill coral.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 facts about sea turtles, from their unique nesting habits to their important role in marine ecosystems. Whether you’re a sea turtle enthusiast or just curious about these amazing creatures, read on to discover some fascinating facts about sea turtles.

1. There Are Seven Species Of Sea Turtles

Turtle Patch, Pulau Sipadan, Sabah, MALAYSIA. Author Bernard DUPONT.

Scientists have identified seven living species of sea turtles and grouped them into six genera. They are given both scientific and common names for easier identification. Whereas the scientific name identifies the genus and species, the common name typically describes some characteristic of the turtle’s body.

Based on the above information, each type of sea turtle has unique physical and behavioral characteristics that aid in environmental adaptation. For instance, the green sea turtle’s name is derived from the fat in its body, which has a green hue due to its vegetarian diet. On the other hand, the loggerhead sea turtle’s enormous, powerful head crushes the shells of its prey. The leatherback sea turtle is the largest species, and the Kemp’s ridley is the smallest and most fragile.

Read more Fun Facts about Turtles here

2. Sea Turtles Are Renowned For Being One Of The Oldest Animals Living Today

Sea turtles are renowned for being one of the oldest animals living today. They are said to have come into existence 110 million years ago. Classified as marine reptiles, they are one of only four reptiles that have adapted to life in the sea joining the likes of crocodiles, marine iguanas, and sea snakes. 

3. Female Sea Turtles Lay Their Eggs Under The Cover Of Darkness

These creatures are very unique as they do not just lay their eggs anywhere. They are known to travel great distances to lay their eggs on the same beach where they were born. They also have to wait till night and with the help of the moon, they are able to identify the best hatching site in the sand. Several reasons have been given to explain this weird behavior. Some scientists say that at this time there is no threat of overheating in the sun and also fewer predators on the beach at night.

Once a suitable site has been identified, the female will crawl ashore and choose a nest site near the base of the dunes. Using her strong back flippers, she digs a hole about 18 inches to 24 inches deep

4. Sea Turtles Must Come To The Surface To Breathe Air

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) heading back toward the sea from Turtle Beach, north shore Oahu, Hawaii. Author Dcrjsr. .

Sea turtles spend most of their lives submerged in an aquatic environment, but they also can spend significant amounts of time at the surface of the water because they require air to breathe. In addition, new hatchlings and nesting females spend time, however brief, on the beach. Sea turtles are air-breathing animals with lungs, so they must surface to breathe. This means that sea turtles are susceptible to drowning if they become tangled up in a fishing line or other artificial hazards while swimming. The survival of these intriguing species depends on conservation efforts to lessen these risks.

5. Sea Turtles Are Cold-Blooded Animals, Regulated By Their Environment

Sea turtles are cold-blooded reptiles so they have to depend on the temperature of their surroundings to maintain their body temperature. This is achieved by moving between areas of water with different temperatures or basking in the sun at the water’s surface or on the beach. Their flat and streamlined, bodies also make them hydrodynamic. They can also experience cold-stunning, a condition in which their metabolism slows to the point of immobility, which can cause them to become lethargic and lethargic.

6. Sea Turtles Can Hold Their Breath For Several Hours While Swimming

green sea turtle swim over a seagrass bed. Author James St. John.

When they are active, sea turtles must swim to the ocean surface to breathe every few minutes. When they are resting, they can remain underwater for as long as 2 hours without breathing. Their amazing breath-holding capacity, along with their ability to swim, enables them to spend a considerable amount of time submerged. Some species can even save oxygen and hold their breath for up to many hours. All these are because of their slow metabolic rate.

7. Leatherback Sea Turtles Are The Largest Sea Turtles

They get their name from their shell, which is leather-like rather than hard, like other turtles. They are the largest sea turtle species. Weighing in at between 550 and 2,000 pounds with lengths of up to six feet, the leatherback is a big turtle. They are also present in all of the world’s oceans, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, leatherback sea turtles have one of the greatest geographic ranges of any sea turtle species.

 Despite their size and extensive range, leatherback sea turtles are endangered due to human activities including pollution, climate change, and overfishing, making conservation efforts essential for their survival.

8. They Use The Earth’s Magnetic Field To Navigate Long Distances

Sea turtles are renowned for their extraordinary navigational skills, which enable them to travel thousands of kilometers to return to the same beach where they were born. According to research young sea turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field as a source of navigational information during their epic transoceanic migrations and while homing. A new study using satellite telemetry has now demonstrated for the first time that adult turtles also navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field.

Nevertheless, man-made elements like coastal development and light pollution can obstruct the natural cues that sea turtles depend on, making it more difficult for them to navigate and endangering their survival.

9. They Are Useful In Maintaining Healthy Marine Ecosystems

A Pacific sea nettle. Author Dan90266.

They Are Useful In Maintaining Healthy Marine Ecosystems. They aid in the regulation of prey populations, such as jellyfish and sponges, and their grazing on seagrass beds encourages the healthy development of these crucial habitats. A significant amount of nutrients for other animals in the food chain is also provided by sea turtle eggs and hatchlings.

By preserving sea turtle populations, we can contribute to keeping the delicate ecosystems of the ocean in balance and guaranteeing their survival for upcoming generations.

10. Sea Turtles Have Been Known To Live Up To 80 Years In The Wild

There have been some documented records of sea turtles as old as 150 years but the upper limits of the sea turtle lifespan remain undocumented. It is the green turtle that is known to have the longest lifespan with some living well beyond 80 years. Their low activity level and moderate metabolic rate help them live longer, but they are also susceptible to a variety of dangers that may shorten their life span.

Despite having been in existence for over 100million years, they are still important today as they help  maintain a healthy marine ecosystem.  This in turn ensures that we continue to enjoy the marine animals that we love.