sea turtles
Flippered ocean reptiles
Sea turtles are large marine reptiles with flippers instead of legs, found in warm and temperate oceans worldwide.
They come ashore only to lay eggs on sandy beaches, returning to the same nesting sites across decades.
Seven species exist, all threatened or endangered: We spotted sea turtles while snorkeling.
Unlike land tortoises, they cannot retract into their shells.
- shellHard outer covering
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- flippersFoot-worn swim aids
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- coral reefsCalcium carbonate marine structures
loggerhead · reef · hawksbill · plastron · hatchlings · sandy shore · mangroves · moonlight · bycatch · plastic straws · endangered species · nest · seagrass beds · warm waters · marine sanctuary · protected area · reptile · eggs
- Mediterranean Seabluefin tuna, sardines, anchovies, grouper, dolphins
- Georgia CoastSavannah, Brunswick, barrier islands, salt marsh, marshlands
- Gulf BeachesMarco Island, Treasure Island, Seaside, white sand, warm water
- Sea of Cortezvaquita, whale shark, gray whale, blue whale, humpback whale
- Texas CoastGalveston, Gulf of Mexico, barrier islands, coastal erosion, storm surge
- Anapsidstortoises, terrapins, Galapagos tortoise, desert tortoise
sea turtlestortoises
Shelled land reptiles
desert tortoises · box turtles · freshwater turtles · pond turtles · river turtles
sea turtlesinvasive species
Harmful non-native organism
rats · cockroaches · lionfish · cane toads · feral pigs
sea turtlessharks
Large predatory fish
orcas · great white sharks · apex predators · tiger sharks · saltwater crocodiles