Sea Turtles: The Endangered Species

Sea Turtles have outlived almost all the prehistoric animals once they shared the planet. Marine turtles inhabit the oceans open waters and coastal habitats, feeding on jellyfish and other aquatic plants and animals. They are the live representatives of a group of reptiles that traveled our sea for more than 100 million years. 

Importance of Sea Turtles
These sea turtles have been living for more than 100 million years and maintaining a fundamental link in the marine ecosystem. They maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs that benefit the valuable species such as lobster, shrimp, and tuna. Having outlived million years they can hold their breath up to five hours. They also transfer the vital nutrients from oceans to beaches and dunes. The seven extant species are The Green, Loggerhead, Kemp's Ridley, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Flatback, and Leatherback, which are endangered. Five of the seven species are found in tropical and subtropical waters. The other two species are found in the Gulf of Mexico, Australia, and New Guinea. 

What Causing Them Extinct?
The sea turtles also called marine turtles, used to be millions in the sea which are now about less than one million. These critically endangered species have been at risk due to the number of factors, including 

Habitat Destruction
Sea turtles come to shores for nesting. Due to uncontrollable coastal development, vehicle traffic, and other human activities disturbed the sea turtle nesting beaches around the world. Turtle feeding grounds such as seagrass beds and coral reefs have been damaged due to onshore activities, making difficult for the female turtles to lay the nest.

Entanglement in Fishing Gear
Worldwide, hundreds of sea turtles have been accidentally caught in the trawl nets. They become fisheries bycatch animals (Intend to catch other species). Not only sea turtles, but even thousands of dolphins and sea birds are also suffered due to bycatching.

Hunting and Egg Collection
Every year, thousands of sea turtles have been hunted for meat and eggs. They are a source of food, medicine, and income for many people around the world. Even international trade has been prohibited for sea turtles as they are endangered species, but illegal trade persists.

Climate Change
Unusual warm temperatures caused by climate change- resulting in fewer male hatchings. Also, it results in the loss of foraging grounds for sea turtles. 

Pollution
Sea turtles can assume floating plastic materials as jellyfish and can choke on them when they try to eat them. These encounters are often fatal, entangles sea turtles, and can drown or render a turtle unable to feed or swim.

sea turtles, marine species, endangered species, sea creatures


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Fish That Can Save The Coral Reefs

Image
The reef provides a safe haven for millions of extraordinary creatures and plants. But if left grows unchecked they can literally kill the reef.  Parrotfish are the most important creatures when it comes to protecting the health of the reef. They eat the dead and algae-covered coral, allowing fresh coral to form and rebuild the reef. Without parrotfish, the entire reef will die quickly.  There are almost 95 different species which are found in coral reefs, rocky coasts, and seagrass beds, and can play a significant role in bioerosion. Each species has a different color scheme and can change their color as they go from babies to adults. This tremendous creature spends 90% of the day by eating dead algae and coral. When eating corals that contain rock, which then leads to white sand poo, a parrotfish can release up to 5 tons of sand per year. As participating in the hygiene of the reef their teeth become filthy, so every day they need a cleaning section. At the cleani
Read more

What Gives More Oxygen on Planet Earth?

Image
Everybody knows that plants and trees produce oxygen for the earth. But, do you know that oceans and seas contribute more oxygen. Produced by marine plants, algae and single-celled organisms called phytoplankton. These may not be seen by the naked eye but produce more, which is not even close to the proportions produced by the trees and plants. The ocean produces oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis, which converts sunlight and carbon dioxide and can use as energy. One type of plankton, Prochlorococcus releases tons of oxygen into atmosphere. So small, that can millions can be present in a single drop of water. It produces 20% of the oxygen to the earth biosphere, which is more than the rainforests on land combined. Scientists mention that a single cell can give oxygen for one in every 5 breaths we take. Calculating the amounts of oxygen on oceans may vary because of the change in climate conditions, geographic location and with the tides. It is also important to remember that the
Read more