Sea turtle writing 10-11-15

Over 150 million years ago, along with the dinosaurs, there lived a species of sea turtles.  They have managed to survive longer than many other animals from the Jurassic period.  However, only 10% of sea turtles live to breeding age.  Now that humans have come along, only 1% of all sea turtles survive to breed the new generation of baby sea turtles.

The first set ,of the sea turtles life cycle, is when they hatch out of eggs. Their mother has laid 50 - 200, leathery ping-pong ball, sized eggs. It takes ,roughly, a month and a half before they hatch. Sadly 20% ,will never hatch. Each of the sea turtles are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.  From there, they immediately face many challenges. Such as:

-the repelling force of the curunce

-crabs,seagulls,

raccoons

-human interference

and others. While making a dash for the ocean, only 50% of those will survive.

The 50% that get into the water have to rummage along the ocean top and find a patch of seaweed to hide under. They will do this for several months to avoid all their predators. To survive through this difficult for them. The causes are weather,

Other animals and unfortunate currents. 50% of those will miserably perish.

As they develop they will get from the size, of a dinner plate at year one, to a dinner table when they're adults. Which is about a decade or so for that species. When they become fully developed they get some measure of protection. The only predators now are some of the larger sharks species. For example bulls and whites. There are also the occasional killer whale.

Approximately two decades of age, the mothers are able to Lay eggs and continue the cycle in which their species depends on.

Those that began as eggs now less than 10% remain, But that is only without human interference. In the last centuries, in particular the last couple decades humans have done many things to our ocean.

For example:

-beach development

-plastic refuse

-poaching

-long line

-nets

-noxious chemicals including oils

which has upped the ante for sea turtles. As a consequence sea turtles survival rate has dropped to one persent. They have overcome many obstacles but this has happened so quickly it has overwhelmed the species. Do everything you can to help this species from becoming extinct!