Loggerhead Sea Turtle Research Paper

Turtles have been around for about 230 million years (Dobbs 1). In that time, they have seen the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and the rise of mankind. Marine turtles have been around for about 65 million years (Dobbs 1). This family has withstood the test of time and is being threatened by human’s impact on the sea. All six of the marine turtles occurring on the shores of America are at least threatened. Marine turtles are very important to the ecosystem but humans are endangering this family directly and indirectly; if humans do not stop their destructive habits, we may lose the influence of marine turtles on the earth’s seas.

The following research project will focus on the Eastern Mediterranean Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Particularly, this paper will analyze why the Loggerhead consistently returns to it its natal nesting grounds in the eastern Mediterranean as opposed to nesting in the western region. To begin, background of the Eastern Mediterranean Loggerhead will be provided to the reader, and then the essay will proceed to discuss the process by which Loggerheads nest and hatch. Following this explanation, this essay will discuss this turtle’s transnational migration habits. After describing the movements of the animal, the reader will be provided with an analysis of possible reasons for natal homing. These reasons include: geographic and climate related preferences

The invasion of alien species usually has a great impact on the endemic fauna, and the introduction of the red-eared slider turtle wouldn’t be different. This impact can be a result of competition for food or habitat, or simply

Furthermore, many of the organisms which are known to regularly consume Leatherback Sea Turtles, whether in egg, hatchling, juvenile, or adult form, would need to find new and likely inadequate food sources. (Wilson, Miller, Allison, & Magliocca, 2010)

Green sea turtles are endangered because 10/100 hatchlings make it to the sea due to light pollution and predators like birds. People are also big problem. Some people eat the eggs and meat of sea turtles. The turtles also get caught in nets and killed by trash in the ocean and on their nesting beaches.

Did you know that sea turtles have lived for over 120 million years? Sea turtles are an ancient group of reptiles that spend most of their time swimming or floating through the water. There are seven different species of sea turtles that are alive today. When classifying sea turtles, the kingdom is Animalia, which contains all multicellular eukaryotic organisms. The phylum is Chordata, which contains many animals that have a nerve cord, a nervous system, and more. The class is Reptilia, which includes all reptiles, and the order is Testudines, which includes turtles and tortoises. Some important facts about sea turtles are their habitat, diet, and behavior, especially around other sea turtles. These, and more, are what you will learn from this

The first predators babies encounter are before they are even born. Attracted by the scent of the mother’s water in the hole, animals raid the nest of the sea turtles because they lay in the same spot every breeding season. Critters such as ants, raccoons, and ghost crabs dig into the nest and pick them clean (M 2015). Humans play a huge role. Occurring mainly on secluded islands, natives will dig up the nest, take the eggs, and eat them as a delicacy or even use for ceremonial purposes. This poses a threat to humans as well because the green sea turtle eggs contain

Because of the industrial and real estate development the areas of beaches are reduced and thus these turtles are facing the problem of Habitat Loss and Habitat Destruction.

Introduction: The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was named as a threatened species on July 28, 1978. Loggerhead turtles are the most common type of sea turtle. In addition, they are the only sea turtle that still regularly nests on beaches from New Jersey to Texas.

Sea turtles are another species which is drastically effected by longline fishing being caught as another bycatch. The two sea turtles who are accidentally caught more often are the loggerhead sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle. Both of these sea turtles have been known to be on endangered lists and unless we can change our fishing methods these innocent organisms could be lost in the near future. In a study by R. Lewison, et al. (2004) they were able to estimate the regions which both of these sea turtles are caught in the world. The loggerhead sea turtle is accidentally caught more often in the regions of the Mediterranean and Pacific Ocean. The leatherback sea turtle is accidentally caught more in the Pacific and

Marine species have been subjugated to overharvesting throughout human history, the lack of data presents challenges to conservationists defining healthy populations. In the case of Hawaiian green turtles, data compiled from commercial harvesting, economic demands, and previous exploitations are insufficient for examining the original population. Historical studies like these can yield information important to fishery managers and have the potential to redefine some populations’ recoveries.

Some may ask why are these animals important? As described earlier green turtles graze on seagrasses and algae, which helps maintain the seagrass beds and makes them more productive (much like mowing the lawn to keep it healthy). Seagrass consumed by green turtles is quickly digested and becomes available as recycled nutrients to the many species of plants and animals that live in the sea grass ecosystem. Seagrass beds also function as nurseries for several species of invertebrates and fish, many of which are of considerable value to commercial fisheries and therefore

In these coral reefs, live many different types of plants and animals. Some of these plants include but are not limited to, algae. Algae is known for providing a source of food for the smaller fish and invertebrate sea life. Then they are also known for acting like glue while helping the reefs grow larger and stronger. Then in the reefs, are also seagrasses. These seagrasses can grow very rapidly-growing, and in return, they help trap sediment loads near the reefs. The seagrass can also provide a habitat for smaller fish, invertebrate animals, sea turtles, and even manatees. One of the final plants is the mangroves. Mangroves are plants that can help support a very wide range of reef fishes and other marine life. The roots of the mangrove trees act as a nursery for young reef fishes by giving them an are that is not very well seen. They are able to breed, and the smaller fish are able to grow away from predators. Then there are also animals that live in the reefs. Some of these animals are predators, while some are not. Some of these animals include sea snakes, sea turtles, manatees, dugongs, sponges, crustaceans, and mollusks. These sea snakes are said to be venomous, so scuba divers and fishers are recommended to stay away from them. Then there are the sea turtles. The different species of sea turtles are most often seen resting on the reef itself. One of the species of sea turtles is the Hawksbill turtle. They are a species that is known to

Marine animals are dying every day because they are ingesting plastic waste. They also get tangled up in the debris and slowly die because they are unable to move and escape. Greenpeace reported there are at least 267 different species that have suffered from the ingestion of plastic and entanglement. One of these species is the loggerhead sea turtle. The jellyfish are a source of nutrition for these sea turtles and they have mistaken floating garbage as their source of food. In addition, these sea turtles have been found with ropes, soft plastic, and monofilament lines inside their stomachs. The ingestion of these plastics has led to blockage inside their gut causing death. According to research more than half of the sea turtles are ingesting plastic.

Sea turtles are not only affected by pollution, but they are also affected by tourist attraction. On September 5 in Costa Rica, a group of tourists prevented sea turtles from nesting along the coastline. The sea turtles are protected by the Ostional Wildlife Refuge. Due to the high volume of tourists of that day, the refuge was unable to prevent the disaster from happening. “Some tourists touched the turtles, others stood on top of the nests, and parents placed their children on top of the turtles to take photographs” (L. Arias). Human beings need to learn how to respect animals.