SEA TURTLE LINKS & FACTS

DID YOU KNOW THESE FACTS ABOUT SEA TURTLES?

• The Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback sea turtles nest on the beaches in Northeast Florida
• Sea turtles spend their whole life in the ocean, except when females come ashore to lay eggs
• Sea turtles cannot retract their head into their shells like other turtles and tortoises can for safety
• Sea turtles are ectothermic or “cold-blooded” reptiles that breathe air
• Fibropapillomatosis or FP is a mysterious disease that affects all species of sea turtles but especially Green turtles
• Sea turtles are impacted by lights on the beach; turn off lights visible on nesting beaches or use special fixtures to shield the light from the beach

Image: Loggerhead hatchling

For More Information

For more information about the conservation of this important species you can also visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy  http://www.conserveturtles.org

Other sites for sea turtle species information include: SeaTurtle.org

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission oversees conservation efforts for sea turtles in Florida, http://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/sea-turtles/

Image: Leatherback Hatchling