Sea turtles; there are currently seven different species swimming in the earth’s oceans. They are marine reptiles that have been around since dinosaurs walked the earth, give or take 150 million years (Texas Parks & Wildlife). And although these ancient creatures have been in the world way before Humans came into existence, it is ironic that all seven species of sea turtles are now endangered because of anthropogenic actions. Among the seven species, The Kemp’s Ridley is the most critically endangered. To ensure this species survival for the unforeseeable future, it must be understood why Kemp’s Ridley’s are critically endangered and what can be done to prevent the extinction of this species.
Lepidochelys Kempii, or more commonly known as the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle or the Atlantic Ridley, is a part of the family Cheloniidea, and are the smallest of the seven species of sea turtles. In appearance, their shell reaches a length of about 28 inches and they can weigh up to 100 pounds. Their upper shell, also known as the carapace, is usually greyish-green in color and their bellies are white-yellowish, most likely for countershading. The Kemp’s Ridley are benthic feeders that generally prefer crabs but their diet also consists of jellyfish, shrimp, sea stars, mollusks, urchins, fish and although they are mostly carnivorous, they have been known to eat marine plants such as sargassum weed and algae (Reaves). The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles are primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Atlantic Ocean. This species mainly nests on the coasts of Tamaulipas, Mexico, specifically Rancho Nuevo, where “nearly 95% of worldwide Kemp’s Ridley nesting occurs”. They are also found nesting in Veracruz, Mexico and the coasts of Texas o...
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... costa occidental del Golfo de Mexico. Ciencia, Méx. 22(4):105-112.
Janiskee, Bob. "Creature Feature: The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Faces an Uncertain Future." National Parks Travelers. National Park Advocates, 21 May 2010. Web. 18 Nov 2013. .
NOAA Fisheries. Kemp's Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii). National Marine Fisheries Service, 04 Mar 2013. Web. 18 Nov 2013. .
Reaves, TPWD Bill, and TPWD Mary E. Candee. "Kemp’s’s Ridley Sea Turtle."
Slattery, Phil. Padre Island National seashore. NPS Interpretive Development Program. Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Program Data Sheet. Web. .
Turtle Expert Working Group. 1998. An assessment of the Kemp’s
T. californicus is found from Alaska to Baja in small, shallow tidepools and tidal flats in the upper spray zone where they cannot avoid the full effect of visible and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Individuals assemble in areas of lower radiation at midday, yet have no preference to the intensity of light at dawn and dusk (Hartline and Macmillan 1995). These tiny arthropods inhabit all types of marine sediments from sand to fine mud and ooze. Along with plankton, T. californicus eats microscopic algae, protists, bacteria, diatoms, algae and microbes (McGroarty 1958). When the concentrations of the species in their habitats are high, T. californicus will turn to cannibalism for a food source. The nautilus eye present in the species is rich with fatty acids and provides a good food source for the animal.
References: Bowling, Brenda. Texas Marine Species Identification. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2012. Web. 15 October 2013.
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,
U.S. Department of the interior, National Park Service. (2013). Endangered Species. Retrieved from website: http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/endangeredspecies/index.cfm
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
The manatee has been on the endangered species list since the year. 2001. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' This is caused by pollution in the water, power boats, and slow reproductivity. The symbiosis of the symbiosis. As a result, humans are putting an effort into saving these seas.
Tedesco, Mark A. "This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound." Journal of the American Planning Association 69 (2003): 321. BigChalk. 9 Nov. 2005.
The Web. 28 July 2011. http://redpath-museum.mcgill.ca/Qbp/3.Conservation/impacts.htm>. Interaction with kelp & sea otters. asnailsodyssey.com.
The poem Mark O’Connor wrote “Turtles Hatching” at a time in his life when was closely studying nature.
...t the guaranteed developmental boom following the completion of the project will also ensure an even greater and more damaging human impact as there will be more beachfront lighting, boats, and beach pollution. Unconcerned with the negative ramifications of the beach nourishment project, islanders on Topsail prove their allegiance to development, tourism, artificial beaches, the promise for a more booming economy and the selfish desire for hurricane protection even though they riskily built homes on one of the most hazardous and unprotected barrier islands in the United States. Topsail’s willingness to betray the environmental protection organizations it’s worked tirelessly to support makes me question whether the promotion of the Topsail Turtle Project and the Turtle Hospital was a noble cause to save endangered animals or a farce to attract the media and tourism.
Loggerhead sea turtles, scientifically labeled Carretta carretta, are the most global nesting turtle species and the most abundant in United State’s waters. While they are not nesting, they travel through open ocean water, spending time searching for food and resting on the sea floor. These turtles were nicknamed Loggerheads because of their large heads and strong jaw needed to break the shells of crustaceans. Loggerheads have the largest nesting range of any sea turtle, inhabiting the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans (Spotila, 2004).
Pickrell, John. “Ichthyosaur’s Turtle Supper Causes Extinction Debate”. National Geographic News.com 5 August 2003. 22 March 2004.
Leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead are sea turtles which are any of two families Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae defined by feet modified into paddles for swimming. Sea turtles, as the name implies, live in the sea; however, they swim to land to lay there eggs. When an egg hatches the baby turtle waddles across the sand to the sea where it will spend almost all of its life.
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).
Fresh Water turtles are small, yet amazing creatures to have and care for in your home. River Cooters, Red Eared Sliders, and Painted turtles are all common pet’s found in America. Though turtles are fun to have around they do require special care just like any other pet would. In most cases they make great pets but turtles aren’t the easiest pets to have so depending on your lifestyle you should think about how much time you’re willing to put into a turtle. They are usually cheap to buy yet the equipment for your turtle can get expensive. Along with cost you must find the time to put into this pet. They need nice set ups to live in as well as attention and proper handling.