Sea Turtles

There are seven species of marine turtles in the world:

Six marine turtles are found in Australian waters:

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)

Another picture of a Loggerhead turtle

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Another picture of a Leatherback turtle

Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Flatback turtle (Natator depressus)

Of these seven species, six of them are now endangered species. Their numbers are so low due to habitat destruction, hunting, boating accidents, pollution, and many other human initiated activites. Many are now highly protected, but still more must be done to bring back their numbers.

a sea turtle

Some Sea Turtles taken at Sea World in Orlando, Florida

A sea turtle which has eaten a plastic bag, thinking that it was food. (Many sea turtles love to eat jellyfish. Plastic bags are therefore very hazardous because they look similar to jellyfish, especially since the bags tend to float near the surface).

This is what we must watch out for if turtles are going to be able to survive in their own homes.