Turtle Life Turtle Life CycleCycle

Image from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n3/sea-turtlesImage from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n3/sea-turtles

Turtles are ReptilesTurtles are Reptiles•What is a Reptile?What is a Reptile?

– Most reptiles lay eggsMost reptiles lay eggs– The babies look like miniature The babies look like miniature versions of the adultversions of the adult

– Generally, no parental care is Generally, no parental care is given. Babies need to fend for given. Babies need to fend for themselves.themselves.

Image from http://cdn2.arkive.org/media/82/82992D19-36F2-49DE-93C1-B4505C2258D6/Presentation.Large/Western-pond-turtle-hatching-Image from http://cdn2.arkive.org/media/82/82992D19-36F2-49DE-93C1-B4505C2258D6/Presentation.Large/Western-pond-turtle-hatching-from-egg.jpgfrom-egg.jpg

Quick Turtle FactsQuick Turtle Facts

• Turtles live between 40 and 200 years (Sea Turtle Turtles live between 40 and 200 years (Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd, 2009).Foundation Ltd, 2009).

• There are over 300 species of turtles around the There are over 300 species of turtles around the world with slightly different life cycles world with slightly different life cycles (Wikipedia, 2002)(Wikipedia, 2002)

• Sea turtles have survived for over 120 million Sea turtles have survived for over 120 million years. Their unique life cycle, body shape, years. Their unique life cycle, body shape, strength and tenacity have enabled them to adapt to strength and tenacity have enabled them to adapt to a constantly changing environment over a period in a constantly changing environment over a period in which many other animals – including dinosaurs – which many other animals – including dinosaurs – became extinct (Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd, 2008).became extinct (Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd, 2008).

• Turtles can live both on land and in water, as they Turtles can live both on land and in water, as they breathe in both environments.breathe in both environments.

Image from Image from http://www.nzdl.org/gsdl/collect/envl/archives/HASH0192.dir/p063a.http://www.nzdl.org/gsdl/collect/envl/archives/HASH0192.dir/p063a.

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Basic Turtle Life Basic Turtle Life CycleCycle

• Turtles hatch from eggs.Turtles hatch from eggs.

• The female sea turtle comes onto land to lay her eggs The female sea turtle comes onto land to lay her eggs (using hind legs to dig the hole in the sand), while the (using hind legs to dig the hole in the sand), while the male spends his entire life in the ocean. The clutch of male spends his entire life in the ocean. The clutch of 50-170 ping-pong ball-like eggs which incubate for 6-13 50-170 ping-pong ball-like eggs which incubate for 6-13 weeks. They lay between 3-7 nests per season.weeks. They lay between 3-7 nests per season.

• The mother leaves the nest.The mother leaves the nest.

• The warmth from the sun causes the eggs to hatch.The warmth from the sun causes the eggs to hatch.

• The hatchlings emerge from nest and head towards The hatchlings emerge from nest and head towards brightest horizon brightest horizon (Musick & Lawrence, 2003)(Musick & Lawrence, 2003)..

• A variety of factors can affect the hatching success of A variety of factors can affect the hatching success of sea turtles. Such as temperature, natural predators, sea turtles. Such as temperature, natural predators, environmental issues such as plastic bags, fishing nets, environmental issues such as plastic bags, fishing nets, oil spills & sand mining (Musick & Lawrence, 2003).oil spills & sand mining (Musick & Lawrence, 2003).

• Only one in a thousand hatchlings survive the 30-50 years Only one in a thousand hatchlings survive the 30-50 years it takes a sea turtle to reach breeding age (Canin & it takes a sea turtle to reach breeding age (Canin & Henkel, 2006).Henkel, 2006).

Images from: Arkive.orgImages from: Arkive.org

Turtle Life Turtle Life CycleCycle

Image from: www.sharkbay.org/assets/images/turtle%20breedingImage from: www.sharkbay.org/assets/images/turtle%20breeding%20cycle%20thumb.jpg%20cycle%20thumb.jpg

Sea Turtle Life Sea Turtle Life CycleCycle

• Click here to see part ofthe turtle life cycle

• Click here to see turtle eggs hatching

Short Video ClipsShort Video Clips

• When they are about 40 years old they will When they are about 40 years old they will come back to the same beach to mate and come back to the same beach to mate and lay their eggslay their eggs(Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd, 2009)(Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd, 2009). .

• Some turtles can live to be over 100 years Some turtles can live to be over 100 years oldold(Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd, 2009)(Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd, 2009). .

• But some turtles do not even make it past But some turtles do not even make it past the egg stage.the egg stage.Turn the page to see why…….Turn the page to see why…….

Image from: www.fishpondinfo.com/turtles/turbreed.htmImage from: www.fishpondinfo.com/turtles/turbreed.htm

Human Threats to Life Human Threats to Life CycleCycle

•Click here to seeTurtle eggs moved because of oil spill

Image of drawing:Image of drawing:Pelf-ism is contagious blog, (2007), from , (2007), from http://chenpn.com/2008/04/08/some-students-can-really-draw/

Life Cycle Stage Threats to Life Cycle

Egg

Juvenile

Adult

Female – lays eggsMale – returns to feeding grounds

Hatchling

• Humans• Dogs and Pigs• Flooding

• Artificial light• Predators• Plastic bags• Fishing lines • Fishing lines• Hunting/poaching• Polluted beaches• Hunting/poaching• Noise and light

Factors that affectFactors that affectthe Turtle’s Life Cyclethe Turtle’s Life Cycle

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ReferencesReferences• Arkive. (n.d). Turtles. Wildscreen, from http://www.arkive.org/explore/species?q=

turtles• Arkive. (n.d-a). Giant south american turtle, from

http://www.arkive.org/giant-south-american-turtle/podocnemis-expansa/video-09b.html• Canin, J., & Henkel, C. (Writers). (2006). One in a thousand. In Hatchling

Productions (Producer). Australia.• Fordham, D., Georges, A., & Corey, B. (2007). Optimal conditions for egg storage,

incubation and post-hatching growth for the freshwater turtle, Chelodina rugosa: Science in support of an indigenous enterprise. Science Direct, 270, 105-114.

• Musick, S., & Lawrence, L. (2003). Sea Turtle Science. A research-based middle and high school classroom resource. In N. M. E. Association (Ed.), Bridge (pp. 11). Minnesota, USA: National Marine Educators Association.

• National Geographic Kids. (2010). Gulf turtle eggs relocated, from http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/news/animals-news/us-oil-spill-turtle-relocation-vin.html

• Sea Turtle Conservancy. (2008). Tour de turtles: A sea turtle migration marathon Retrieved 3rd October, 2010

• Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd. (2008). Sea turtle foundation Retrieved 23rd October, 2010

• Sea Turtle Foundation Ltd (Writer). (2009). Turtle trials. Australia: Sea Turtle Foundation.

• SolaMedia. (2009). Turtle: The incredible journey, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=somiE24YeHQ&noredirect=1

• Wikipedia. (2002). Turtles Retrieved 23rd October, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle