Sea Turtles
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Types of Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are one of the Earth's most ancient creatures. The seven species that can be found today have been around for 110 million years, since the time of the dinosaurs. Sea turtles, sometimes called marine turtles, are reptiles of the order Testudines. The seven extant species of sea turtles are: the green, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, olive ridley, hawksbill, flatback, and leatherback. The sea turtle's shell, or "carapace" is streamlined for swimming through the water. Unlike other turtles, sea turtles cannot retract their legs and head into their shells.
A Comparison
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Evolution of Sea Turtles
The Life Cycle
Leatherback Turtle
Green Sea Turtles
The Shell
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The Life Cycle
Threats
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A high percentage of turtle strandings have been attributed to a disease that causes tumors to cover a turtle's body and impede their vision, mouth, and movement. Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a debilitating disease that affects sea turtles in Florida and many other parts of the world.
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Adoption Program
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