Sea Turtles: A Special Case


Sea turtles spend their life almost entirely in the water. But they must come onto the land to lay their eggs. This is usually done on beaches that are shared with humans. Many organizations and conservationists patrol these beaches nightly during the nesting season to protect the nests. 

Sadly, the main predator is the human kind. Eggs are dug up by people and sold as food and medicine. Saving the eggs often comes down to a race between the poacher and the biologist! 

If properly protected, sea turtle eggs incubate in the nest. When the eggs are “ready,” the babies all emerge at the same time. They are tiny and can very easily fall prey to other animals on land and in the water. Left on their own, very few will make it to the often-massive size of their parents. 

Marine turtle conservation organizations help to protect as many eggs and hatchlings as possible by educating the public. They teach people how to avoid nests, and about why it’s important to turn off lights on the beach at night (the lights can confuse the nesting females and the hatchlings). They also work to ensure that the hatchlings make it to the water.


Turtles that live in the sea cover large distances in their travels.