Discovering the wonderful world of the 7 species of Sea Turtles
Understanding the seven species of Sea Turtles and their world
Have you ever wondered what life is like for our flippered friends, the sea turtles? Let's learn all about the magnificent seven sea turtle species that grace our oceans. From the petite Kemp's Ridley to the colossal Leatherback, each species boasts unique characteristics and adaptations.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Loggerheads have large heads and powerful jaws, and their shells are typically reddish-brown in color. Loggerhead sea turtles are known for their strong nesting instincts and often return to the same beach where they were born to lay their own eggs.
2. Green Sea Turtle
Green sea turtles are named for the greenish colour of their fat and have a teardrop-shaped shell. Despite their name, green sea turtles don't actually have green shells.
3. Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Hawksbills have a distinctively narrow, pointed beak and overlapping scales on their shell. Hawksbill sea turtles are famous for their beautiful shells, which have been used to make jewelry and other decorative items for centuries.
4. Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
Kemp's ridleys are the smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle species, with an almost circular shell. Kemp's ridley sea turtles engage in unique nesting behaviour called arribadas, where thousands of females come ashore to nest at the same time.
5. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Olive ridleys have heart-shaped shells and are also known for their synchronized mass nesting events, known as arribadas. Olive ridley sea turtles are the most abundant of all sea turtles, but they are still classified as vulnerable due to threats like fishing gear entanglement.
6. Flatback Sea Turtle
Flatbacks have a unique flattened shell and are found only in the waters around Australia. Flatback sea turtles are the only species of sea turtle that exclusively nests in Australia.
7. Leatherback Sea Turtle
Leatherbacks are the largest and most unique sea turtle species, with a leathery shell instead of a hard one. Leatherback sea turtles have a specialized diet of jellyfish and can dive to incredible depths, deeper than any other sea turtle species
Which one is your favourite?