Did you know....


1. Marine turtles have been around for over 100 million years. Having survived the extinction of the dinosaurs, they still live in our oceans today. But our Sea Turtles are in danger of extinction. All but one species is on the endangered list. Threats to their survival include being hunted for their shells, meat and eggs, having their habitat polluted, being caught by fishing boats or even hit by boats.

2. Marine Turtles dig nests in the sand of beaches to deposit their eggs. The warmth of the sand incubates and hatches them. The turtle hatchlings then must reach the sea without the help of their mother. Sea Turtle babies must also avoid the many predators, such as sea gulls, waiting for them to hatch.

3. Leatherback Turtles are one of the biggest reptiles and they are the largest turtle species. They grow up to 6 feet in length and weigh around 1000 pounds. They feed mainly on creatures like jellyfish and mussels. Leatherbacks are found throughout the world - tropical Caribbean waters, the Gulf of Mexico, in the Atlantic from Canada to Argentina, in the Pacific from Oregon to Chili, Southern Japan, and the Mediterranean. They are most numerous in American waters due to conservation efforts. Leatherback Turtle numbers have fallen over the past 20 years by as much as 90 percent in some regions.

4. Loggerhead Turtles can be more than 4 feet in length and weigh up to 400 pounds, with very large heads and strong jaws. They are meat eaters, feeding on creatures such as jellyfish, crabs, sponges and clams. They live in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream as well as in the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans.

5. Green Turtles are found near continental coasts and islands throughout the tropics. Adults can get as large as 4 feet and weigh up to 400 pounds. They are the only turtle that is a herbivore, feeding on seagrasses and flowering plants. Each year an estimated 100,000 green turtles are killed in the Indo-Australian archipelago.

6. Kemp's Ridley Turtle only reaches around 2 feet in length. They live in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic Ocean. They nest during the day instead of night, like most other sea turtle species. They are carnivorous their whole lives, feeding on shrimp, clams, crabs and sea urchins. Kemp's Ridley Turtles are the most in danger of extinction of all the Sea Turtles.

7. The Olive Ridley Turtle grows to be around 28 inches long and weighs between 75 and 110 pounds. They are found in west Africa, the Indian Ocean, Australia and Southeast Asia. Olive Ridley Turtles are also found throughout Antilles and off the coasts of north and south America.

8. Hawksbill Sea Turtles grow to be around 3 feet long and weigh around 130 pounds. These pretty little turtles are known for the intricate patterns on their colorful shells, which places them in danger of being hunted for the making of "tortoiseshell" products. Hawksbills live in the Gulf of Mexico and other tropical coral reefs. They lay 60 to 200 eggs every two to three years.

9. The Flatback Turtle, named for it's flat body, grow to a little over 3 feet in length. They are only found around the northern half of Australia, the seas between northern Australia and southern parts of Indonesia, also Papua New Guinea. Flatbacks are carnivores who feed on squids, sea cucumbers and other such creatures. It is unknown how the species is actually doing in the wild, it has not been labeled as endangered as of now.

10. All Sea Turtles are in endanger of Extinction!