Introduction Caretta caretta, otherwise known as the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, is an oceanic turtle that exist throughout the globe. They are circumtropical species (LeBlanc et al. 2014) meaning they are distributed throughout temperate and tropical ocean regions, but most abundant species are found in the United States coastal range. Loggerheads largest nesting aggregations in the Atlantic are found along the southeastern United States coastal range where about 80% of all nesting occurs and 90% of all hatchlings are produced (Abecassis et al. 2013). On average, Loggerhead Sea Turtles have a life span of more than 50 years and weigh 250 pounds. (CITE?) Loggerheads are known for their large heads, strong jaws and a heart-shaped reddish-brown …show more content…
Loggerheads mate in spring and nest from early May all the way through August (Lamont & Fujisaki 2014). Though they spend most of their time in the waters, they will go offshore for egg production. Female loggerheads nest every two to four years and lay between two and five clutches nest (Phillips et al. 2014). Some of the hatchlings will spend their juvenile years in the open ocean, while some will spend those years in coastal areas. Once the juveniles have chosen their foraging area, they begin to mature. When they reach sexual maturity, loggerhead adult have a long migration towards a designated nesting beach (Abecassis et al. 2013). These migrations can take up to 2 to 3 years because they are long-distance travelers migrating across different climatic zones (Lamont & Fujisaki 2014). Their return to these areas depends on foraging success. The age of maturity of loggerheads can be different for every turtle especially since they are long lived, but estimates range between 10 and 45 years (Abecassis et al. …show more content…
When fishers throw their nets, the turtles get caught in the nets causing damages to their body or drowning them. When juvenile loggerheads head to their foraging area in the water, they are highly exposed to bycatching, international longlines, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) longline fisheries causing high mortality rates (Peckham et al. 2008). Though juveniles have a higher mortality rate due to bycatch, longlines and trade since they are still maturing, adults are easily exposed to these threats as
In the Grapes of Wrath, a novel by John Steinbeck, there are many examples of symbolism. One of the most prominent symbols found in this book is the turtle seen in chapter three. This turtle is symbolic of three things: the Joads and their journey west, Tom Joad himself, and the promise of new life. First, here’s a little background information on the turtle. This land turtle was somewhere to go. Where than is, no one knows, except perhaps John Steinbeck. To get there the turtle decides to take the perilous journey down a dusty dirt road that stretches along the quiet countryside. What could happen? A lot more than one might think. In fact, the turtle faces quite a few challenged ranging from pesky insects, to ledges, to even cars. But, the thing that makes this turtle special is that he never gives up (Pages
They also look after the quality of coastal waters by watering down, sifting, and settling deposits, left-over nutrients and contaminants. They are highly productive ecosystems and provide habitats and act as nurseries for all manner of life.
Throughout the animal kingdom, adaptations take place continuously and even the smallest of changes can leave a significant impact. Examples can be seen within any plant or animal. One example would include sea turtles, specifically, the Loggerhead Turtles. These turtles are native to the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea (Deurmit L 2007). They thrive in either temperate or tropical climates and can live in a myriad of biomes (Deurmit L 2007). These biomes include the pelagic, reef, coastal, and brackish water (Deurmit L 2007). Loggerhead turtles are omnivores and can eat anything from insects to aquatic crustaceans, to macro algae (Deurmit L 2007). According to Deurmit (2007) Caretta caretta is classified into Animalia Kingdom, Chordata Phylum, Vertebrata Subphylum, Reptilian Class, Testudines’ Order,
The efforts taking place through different conservation organizations and the State of Florida are making a mixed impact on the survival of Manatees and Sea Turtles. The decline in manatee population has decreased, but due to low reproduction rates, more needs to be done to avoid extinction. The sea turtle outlook is more species specific. Some species of turtle are seeing stabilization in population, while others are not. The State of Florida has a large array of custom license tags that support the conservation efforts taking place within the State. The proceeds go to benefit the local marine life in Florida. With financial resources, state and local cooperation, and through constant research and observation, we are able to learn more about both of these gentle animals. With human awareness of those living in Florida, these two animals will survive
of Cape Cod, but has been recorded in Maine and Nova Scotia. The blue crab
Loggerhead turtles are becoming endangered more and more often. Not many people understand the dangers that these turtles are in, especially when the females are nesting. Nesting takes an important role in the lives of these turtles and is an amazing process that occurs during the season. Unfortunately, many factors disturb the process of these hatching eggs. This paper explains these factors in depth to educate the audience about the dangers involved in loggerhead nesting. Light pollution, natural disasters, and predators are described and explained as to why they affect the process of nesting. Many organizations are trying to share their knowledge on these loggerhead-nesting dangers with people and are trying to help keep the loggerheads alive.
Commercial fishing of other marine animals is one of the main reasons for drastic decline in all sea turtles. Turtles rely on air to breathe despite being marine animals, therefore when captured in nets while scavenging for food they most likely drown. In the US alone 250,000 turtles are accidently captured, injured or killed every year. (WWF, conserveturtles) However, there is also commercial fishing within sea turtles. Turtle’s shells, skin, meat and, eggs are valuable and decorative items that many humans want to
Turtles are one of the forms of life that are very suitable for assessed the evidence for evolution, this is not caused by the skin very easily taken care of but because there are many turtle fossil record. Simply there is no evidence to support that the turtle evolution of the ancestors even though it has been more than a century of fossil exploration area and identifies thousands of fossils.
The Marine Iguana can also be known as its scientific name, Amblyrhynchus cristatus. They are found only on the Galapagos Islands, and have been called the reptiles of the sea. The Marine Iguana weighs up to 10kgs and can be up to 100cm’s in length, although the weight and lengths vary depending on what island they are from throughout the Galapagos islands. The Marine Iguana is usually seen as black and grey, occasionally going red and green during the breeding seasons. Because the Marine Iguana is a cold blooded animal, their dark colours help to attract heat to their bodies to make them warm, because the Galapagos islands have volcanic rocks, the Marine Iguana’s can lay on them to get warm after swimming or hunting.
polyphemus individuals for which I recorded age, 55 were classified as middle-aged (older than 9-11 years). Horseshoe crabs reach sexual maturity and spawn around 9-11 years of age, after which it is believed that they no longer molt, or molt infrequently (Botton & Ropes 1988; James-Pirri et al. 2002; Shuster, 1982). However, very little is known about the lifespan of horseshoe crabs, so there is no way of knowing the specific ages of the individuals in East Harbor. The prosomal width cannot be used to determine age because growth stops in adults, and there are a variety of sizes within each age class (Grady, 2001). A protocol was developed to visually estimate the age based on the appearance of the prosoma; however, this method classifies individuals as young, middle-aged, and old, and does not directly indicate how many years the horseshoe crab has been alive. Results of tagging studies have estimated that after reaching maturity, they live for around 5 to 7 years as adults, for a total life span of 14 to 19 years (Grady,
Sirenia: Trichechidae (the manatee) is a large, mostly herbivorous, aquatic mammal. Manatees are often referred to as “sea cows.” There are three recorded species of manatees: the Amazonian manatee “Trichechus inunguis,” the West Indian manatee “Trichechus manatus,” and the West African manatee “Trichechus senegalensis.” There is also the Trichechus pygmaeus (The dwarf manatee). This species has yet to be validated. I live in Florida where the manatee can be found throughout Florida’s abundant warm water locations. Manatees reside in warm water, shallow rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal waters. (Google, 2014)
Generally arriving about late May through August, these magnificent aquatic beasts birth within two or three days of their arrival. What a site to behold!By late September, babies and their parents depart from further sighting and head out towards deeper waters.
Bycatch is the accidental capture or damage of other marine species during commercial fishing. Animals such as dolphins, sea turtles, whales, seals, sea lions, etc… get caught in the nets or hooks during trawling. These animals usually end up dying from various causes, often broken fins, deep lacerations, and drowning. It is estimated that more than 300,000 small whales and dolphins are killed each year from commercial fishing. (Anne Houtman pg. 246) Furthermore, fishing methods such as bottom trawling destroy spawning grounds and invertebrates. There are fishing methods and equipment that reduce bycatch and they are growing in popularity, however, bycatch still remains a major threat to marine life.
Gopher Tortoise have been around for over 60 million and they are originated in Western North America (Logan. 1981). In average tortoises are 25cm and can weigh up to 10 lb (Logan. 1981). Gophers are now known almost extinct, ascribe to humans taking over their habitat and building homes, shopping markets, and more.. One of the few homes for the gophers is at Florida Atlantic University preserve. This preserve was created in 1943, however it is decreasing in size. Since the Gophers are being preyed upon by humans, they are forced to seek a new home to reproduce so they won't be extinct.
These basking rocks, or even floating cork for younger turtles, are very important, they have to have a place to bask and get out of the water. Yet if you decide to keep it outside be sure to provide a place to bask, plenty of water, filters, and a covering so other predators can not harm or eat your turtle. Equipment will be different for indoors or outdoors. If you keep your turtle indoors be sure that it can occasionally get fresh air and sun light, but do not keep an aquarium next to a window! Also, make sure your aquarium or pond is clean, this is extremely important to maintain good health for the turtle and provides them with a clean habitat.