Five Fantastic Facts About Sea Turtles

Whether you’re visiting the ocean or your local aquarium, sea turtles are a family favorite sighting. How much do you know about these adorable and docile creatures who have become the unofficial symbol of beach vacations and anti-plastic straw campaigns? Put your knowledge to the test with these five fantastic facts! Then, think of small ways you can do your part in protecting these awesome reptiles.

1. There are seven sea turtle species.

These include the flatback, green, hawksbill, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley, olive ridley and loggerhead sea turtle. Sea turtles are found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans – but not the chilly Arctic!

2. Each species has a unique diet.

Some sea turtles are carnivores – like the adult loggerhead who enjoys crabs and conchs, or the Kemp’s ridley that has a taste for crab. Others are herbivores like the classic adult green sea turtle who snacks on seagrass and algae around coral reefs. Flatbacks and olive ridleys are omnivores eating both plants like seaweed and animals like fish or shrimp. Leatherback turtles are considered gelatinivores with a preference for jellyfish and other invertebrates under the sea. Perhaps the pickiest eater of all is the hawksbill – its diet consists almost entirely of sea sponges!

3. Sea turtles vary in size, with the smallest around 2 feet and the largest more than 8 feet.

Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtle species and often are seen up to 6 feet long – but one was recorded at a massive 8.4 feet long (weighing over 1 ton)! The smallest sea turtle species, averaging about 2 feet in length, is the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. All other species fall in between.

4. Sea turtles spend most of their lives in the water, so they’re good at holding their breath.

Since sea turtles are reptiles, they breathe air just like us! Unlike humans, they have an incredible ability to hold their breath for an extended period of time before needing to surface for air. Sea turtles even slow their heart rate to sleep submerged underwater for up to 7 hours!

5. You can help save sea turtle populations!

All species of sea turtles are protected, and some are even critically endangered. Imagine thinking you’re going to get a tasty jellyfish snack only to end up with a belly full of plastic bags, or swimming through the ocean and getting tangled up in a net meant for a passing school of fish. Unfortunately, sea turtles can be victims of accidental or intentional capture, pollution and other human-caused threats.

Despite the dangers they face, we all can help to protect sea turtles! Keep an eye out for nests and stay far away from nesting turtles and hatchlings. Report injured sea turtles to local rescue groups. Reduce plastic use, keep beaches trash-free and advocate for clean, safe oceans. Above all, stay educated on topics relating to our world and the creatures that call it home so you can choose to make a difference with your actions each and every day.

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Encourage your child to remain curious about the wonderful world around them, and keep an eye on our blog to unlock more examples of real-life STEM to share.