*Top 20* Amazing Sea Turtle Facts!
As incredible as it sounds, Sea Turtles have been on Earth since before dinosaurs! They first appeared a whopping 260 million years ago, which is 30 million years before the now extinct dinos.
There are 7 Sea Turtle species – Flatback, Green, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley.
They can be found in every major ocean except the polar caps. Male Sea Turtles spend their entire lives in the ocean. Females go on land every 2-4 years to lay eggs.
Read on to learn more Amazing Sea Turtle Facts!
1) Sea Turtles are Marine Reptiles
Sea Turtles are reptiles, which means that they breathe air with lungs (not gills), lay eggs and do not raise their young, and are completely covered in scales.
In addition, they are cold blooded, which means that their environment regulates their body temperature. Which explains why they cold stun in extremely cold weather.
Sea Turtles are one of only four groups of marine reptiles, which means that they are reptiles which have adapted to life in the sea. The other 3 are saltwater crocodiles, sea snakes, and marine iguanas.
2) There are 7 Sea Turtle Species
Sea Turtles are members of the turtle species. They belong to the order Testudines, which includes all turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.
The 7 Sea Turtle Species are Flatback, Green, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley.
Sea Turtles can be found in every ocean in the world except for the Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. The exception is the Flatback Sea Turtle, which live in Australia only.
Want to learn more about Turtles? Check out my Top Amazing Turtle Facts blog!
3) Sea Turtles have been on Earth as long as Dinosaurs!
Sea Turtles have been on Earth for over 260 million years! That is 30 million years BEFORE dinosaurs.
The two species co-existed together for 45 million years before dinosaurs succumbed to a mass extinction event 66 million years ago.
4) Male Sea Turtles never leave the Ocean
Male Sea Turtles never leave the ocean! Females only leave the ocean every 2-4 years to lay eggs.
The reason for the break is because it is so exhausting. During off years females spend time in foraging grounds replenishing energy reserves. They climb up the beach and lay eggs in the sand; then immediately return to the water.
The eggs hatch at the same time to help avoid predators. As unbelievable as it sounds, embryos inside the eggs communicate with each other via sounds and vibrations to coordinate hatching times, with all babies working together to dig out.
The new hatchlings look so cute as they make their way down to the ocean together!
5) Sea Turtles have Flippers
Since Sea Turtles rarely leave the ocean, they are the only turtle species that have true flippers which aid with swimming. Their front flippers are used for power and their back flippers are used for steering.
Sea Turtles are the only turtle species that have true flippers. In contrast, Turtles – which live on land and water – have webbed feet. And Tortoises – which live on land only – have flat feet and claws that are adept for walking on land.
Want to learn about Tortoises? Check out my Top Amazing Tortoise Facts blog!
6) Sea Turtles have to Surface to Breathe
Sea Turtles are reptiles, which means that they breathe air with lungs. Therefore, they have to come to the surface to take a breath of air. Sadly, this is why they get hit by boats frequently.
While swimming, they can hold their breath for 7-9 hours. While resting, they can stay underwater for several days!
7) Sea Turtles live to 30-80 years old
- Flatbacks live 70-80 years
- Green Turtles live 70 years
- Hawksbills live 50-60 years
- Kemp’s Ridleys live 30-50 years
- Leatherbacks live 40-50 years
- Loggerheads live 70-80 years
- Olive Ridleys live 50 years
8) Sea Turtles have Small Brains
See Turtles have brains that are the size of a grape. They do things like eat garbage and repeatedly swim into their pool wall while in captivity.
However, Sea Turtles are not dumb. Instead, after 90 million years of evolution they have perfected survival skills such as migrating, eating, and nesting.
Females can swim through thousands of miles of ocean and return to the exact beach where they hatched decades later. If you think about it, that is absolutely incredible!
9) All 7 Sea Turtle Species eat Different Food
- Flatbacks eat Sea Cucumbers and Jellyfish
- Green Sea Turtles eat Seagrass and Algae
- Hawksbills eat Sea Sponges
- Kemps Ridley eat Blue Crabs
- Leatherbacks eat Jellyfish
- Loggerheads eat Oysters and Clams
- Olive Ridley eat Jellyfish, Snails, Crabs, and Shrimp
10) Sea Turtles lay Eggs on the Beach where they were Born
As incredible as it sounds, pregnant Sea Turtles return to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs! That is thousands of years of instinct in action.
Most pregnant Sea Turtles come ashore alone at night during high tide to lay their eggs. However, some species such as Kemp’s Ridley emerge from the ocean by the hundreds to lay eggs. Can you imagine sitting on the beach and witnessing something like that???
Want to see Sea Turtles in person? Check out my Turtle Hospital – Florida Keys blog!
11) Sea Turtles lay 110 Eggs at a time
Sea Turtles lay 110 eggs at a time. That is more than any other vertebrate animal! After they bury the eggs in the sand, they go back into the water.
Incredibly, a Sea Turtle hatchling’s sex is determined by the temperature of the sand where the egg is laid. If the eggs incubate at a high temperature, the hatchlings will be female. If the eggs incubate at a low temperature, the hatchling will be male.
The Disney Conservation Fund video on Sea Turtle egg laying and birth in Florida is amazing!
12) Cold Weather causes Sea Turtles to “Cold Stun”
Sea Turtles are cold blooded reptiles, which means that they cannot regulate their body temperature. Therefore, when bad weather causes ocean temperatures to suddenly drop, they go into hypothermic shock.
Known as “cold stunning”, the turtles experience a decrease in heart rate and blood circulation, as well as lethargy. It causes the turtles to float to the surface, which makes it impossible for them to swim. They then become vulnerable to boat strikes and predators.
Prolonged exposure to cold waters can lead to pneumonia and death.
13) Flatback Sea Turtles have a Flat Shell and live in Australia
Flatback Sea Turtle Conservation Status: Vulnerable
As the name suggests, Flatback Sea Turtles get their name from their flat shell. The other 6 Sea Turtle species have curved shells.
Another distinction is that unlike other sea turtles, Flatbacks do not have a long, open-ocean migration. Flatback Sea Turtles live in the coastal waters of Australia and Papua New Guinea. They nest on Australian beaches only, mainly along the northern coast.
In contrast, most Sea Turtles migrate long distances, travelling across entire oceans several times. Fun Fact! Flatbacks are the only Sea Turtle species that do not visit the Americas.
Flatbacks are mostly carnivores. They forage in shallow water, usually avoiding coral reefs. They eat sea cucumbers, jellyfish, soft corals, shrimp, and occasionally algae and seaweed.
14) Green Sea Turtles have Sunburst Pattern Shells
Green Sea Turtle Conservation Status: Endangered
Green Sea Turtles are known for their beautiful brown, green, and yellow Sunburst pattern shells. Sadly, their shells are used for jewelry, glasses, and decorations.
The largest hard shelled Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtles can weigh up to 500 pounds and reach 4 feet long. They are the only Sea Turtle that are primarily herbivores.
Green Sea Turtles are not named after the color of their shell. Instead, their diet makes the fat under their skin a greenish color.
Green Sea Turtles have a sharp serrated beak that is adapted for grazing on sea grass beds. They love the algae covered jetties that line most shipping lanes. Unfortunately, that frequently leads to them getting hit by boats.
Green Sea Turtles live all over the world. They nest in over 80 countries and live in the coastal areas of more than 140 countries.
15) Hawksbill Sea Turtles have a Narrow Beak to eat Sea Sponges
Hawksbill Sea Turtle Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Hawksbill Sea Turtles live in tropical waters around the world; mostly in coral reefs. At 200 pounds and 3 feet long, Hawksbills are one of the smaller Sea Turtle species.
As the name suggests, Hawksbill Sea Turtles have a narrow beak that resembles a hawk. They are perfect for finding food in hard to reach cracks and crevices. They are the only Sea Turtle species that has a diet of sea sponges. They also eat soft corrals, and other invertebrates within the reef.
Thought to be the most beautiful Sea Turtle species, Hawkbill shells have bright contrasting colors that serve as camouflage in their coral reef habitat.
16) Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are Small and Critically Endangered
Kemp’s Ridley Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Kemp’s Ridleys are the smallest and most endangered Sea Turtle species. They live in south Texas and Mexico. But a few juveniles have been spotted in the Atlantic Ocean as far north as Nova Scotia.
Kemp’s Ridleys have shells that are almost completely round. In contrast, the other Sea Turtle species have heart shaped shells. They weigh between 75-100 pounds and have shells that are up to 2 feet long.
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are carnivores. They have a parrot like bill that helps crush and grind blue crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrates. They also eat jellyfish.
Unlike other Sea Turtles, Kemp’s Ridleys are daytime nesters. They have a small nesting range extending from the north Mexican state of Tamaulipas into south Texas; including South Padre Island. Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island rescues and rehabilitates endangered Kemp’s Ridley and other sea turtles. I have been there! I highly recommend visiting.
Want to see Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles in person? Check out my Sea Turtle, Inc. South Padre Island – Complete Guide blog!
17) Leatherback Sea Turtles have a Black Shell made out of Keratin
Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Status: Vulnerable
As the name suggests, Leatherback Sea Turtles have a soft, leatherlike shell. In contrast, the other 6 Sea Turtle species have a hard shell. They are black on top and white on the bottom.
Surprisingly, Leatherback shells are made out of keratin, which is a protein that is the main ingredient in human hair, nails, and skin.
Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest of the 7 Sea Turtle species. They weigh an astonishing 800 -2,000 pounds and are 4-8 feet long.
Leatherbacks feed almost exclusively on jellyfish. This is because they have delicate, scissor like jaws that would be damaged by anything other than a diet of soft body animals.
Want to learn more about Jellyfish? Check out my Top Amazing Jellyfish Facts blog!
Leatherbacks Migrate Farther than other Sea Turtles
Unlike other Sea Turtles, Leatherbacks can regulate their body temperature and survive in cold water. Their black shell acts as an insulator and they have a large layer of body fat.
As a result, Leatherbacks migrate farther than the other 6 Sea Turtle species. They migrate thousands of miles between breeding and feeding grounds. Some Leatherbacks travel over 10,000 miles in a single year!
Leatherbacks are found in every ocean except for the Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean (Antarctica). They travel as far north as Canada, Alaska, and Norway, and as far south as New Zealand and South Africa.
In contrast, the other 6 Sea Turtle species are mostly found in tropical and subtropical waters.
Sadly, Leatherbacks frequently get caught in fishing lines and fishing gear. As a result, they are facing extinction possibly within 5 years.
18) Loggerhead Sea Turtles are Brown and Heart Shaped
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Loggerhead Sea Turtles have a brown heart shaped shell. They got their names when lookouts on ships saw them in the water and shouted “Log ahead.”
Loggerheads migrate farther than most Sea Turtle species. They are found in oceans all over the world. The largest concentrations are in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans; and in the Mediterranean Sea.
They use their massive heads and powerful jaws to crush bottom-dwelling hard-shelled prey such as whelks, conchs, crabs, and clams.
Weighing up to 350 pounds and 4 feet long, Loggerheads are one of the slowest Sea Turtle. Sadly, this frequently results in them getting covered in barnacles. They can usually rub the excess off on rocks and reefs. But when a turtle becomes sick or injured they are too weak to rub them off. So it is a sign of bad health.
When water temperatures become cold, Loggerheads bury themselves in soft mud in a kind of hibernation.
19) Olive Ridley Sea Turtles have Olive Green Heart Shaped Shells
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are named after their olive green heart shaped shell. They are the second smallest sea turtle species, after Kemp’s Ridley.
Olive Ridleys are the most abundant Sea Turtle in the world. They are found primarily in the tropical regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans.
Olive Ridleys are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. This includes algae, lobster, crabs, tunicates, and mollusks.
20) All Sea Turtles Species are Endangered or Threatened
Tragically, every Sea Turtle species is considered Endangered
or Vulnerable. The main causes are Poaching, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Here are the latest IUCN Red List: Sea Turtle Classifications:
- Critically Endangered – Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley
- Endangered – Green
- Vulnerable – Flatback, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley
Final Thoughts
Sea Turtles are among the ocean’s most remarkable travelers. They have been gliding through the seas for millions of years, returning to the same beaches generation after generation. Their unique shells, long migrations, and calm nature make them truly unforgettable.
