World Sea Turtle Day

Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day!

Every year on June 16th, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. This special day is dedicated to raising awareness about sea turtles and the importance of protecting them and their habitats. Sea turtles are amazing creatures that have been around for millions of years, even before dinosaurs! Let’s dive into some fun facts about these fascinating animals.

Why Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day?

Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of the oceans. By celebrating World Sea Turtle Day, we help spread the word about how important it is to protect these creatures from threats like pollution, fishing nets, and habitat destruction. It’s a day to learn about sea turtles, appreciate their beauty, and think about ways we can help them survive and thrive.

Fun Facts About Sea Turtles

1. Habitats: Sea turtles can be found in oceans all around the world. They prefer warm, tropical and subtropical waters. Some sea turtles, like the leatherback, are known to travel thousands of miles across the ocean!
2. Diet: Different species of sea turtles have different diets. For example:
   • Green sea turtles eat mostly seagrass and algae, making them herbivores.
   • Loggerhead sea turtles enjoy eating jellyfish, crabs, and mollusks.
   • Leatherback sea turtles love to feast on jellyfish and can eat hundreds of them each day!
3. Weight: Sea turtles can vary greatly in size and weight. The smallest species, the Kemp’s ridley, can weigh around 100 pounds. The largest species, the leatherback, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds!
4. Lifespan: Sea turtles can live for a very long time. Many sea turtles live to be 50 years old or more, and some have been known to live up to 100 years!
5. Shell: A sea turtle’s shell is called a carapace. It’s made up of over 50 bones and is covered in a layer of tough, scaly skin.

Types of Sea Turtles

There are seven species of sea turtles in the world:

1. Green Sea Turtle: Known for their greenish-colored fat beneath their shell, they are mostly herbivores.
2. Loggerhead Sea Turtle: Recognized by their large heads and powerful jaws.
3. Leatherback Sea Turtle: The largest sea turtle species with a leathery shell instead of a hard one.
4. Hawksbill Sea Turtle: Identified by their pointed beaks and beautiful, patterned shells.
5. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle: The smallest and most endangered sea turtle species.
6. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle: Named for their olive-colored shells and known for their synchronized nesting in large groups.
7. Flatback Sea Turtle: Found only in the waters around Australia, with a flatter shell compared to other sea turtles.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Why is it important to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day?
   • A. To eat sea turtle-shaped cookies.
   • B. To raise awareness about the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats.
   • C. To have a beach party.
2. Which sea turtle is known for traveling thousands of miles across the ocean?
   • A. Green sea turtle
   • B. Leatherback sea turtle
   • C. Loggerhead sea turtle
3. What do green sea turtles primarily eat?
   • A. Jellyfish
   • B. Crabs
   • C. Seagrass and algae
4. Which is the largest species of sea turtle?
   • A. Kemp’s ridley
   • B. Hawksbill
   • C. Leatherback
5. What is the shell of a sea turtle called?
   • A. Carapace
   • B. Beak
   • C. Flipper

Answers:

1. B: To raise awareness about the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats.
2. B: Leatherback sea turtle
3. C: Seagrass and algae
4. C: Leatherback
5. A: Carapace

By learning more about sea turtles and spreading the word, we can all help ensure these incredible creatures are around for many generations to come. Happy World Sea Turtle Day!