Hello Lykkers! Today, we're excited to dive into the fascinating world of sea turtles.

These beautiful ocean wanderers are not only a favorite among divers and marine enthusiasts but also carry many secrets about their lives that might surprise you.

In this article, we'll explore six intriguing questions about sea turtles that reveal some lesser-known facts. Let's get started on this journey to understand why sea turtles behave the way they do and what challenges they face in our changing world.

Q1: How Many Sea Turtle Species Are There Globally? And Which Ones Are Common in Taiwan?

Globally, there are around 350 types of turtles. However, only a small fraction of these belong to the sea turtle family – just seven species in total. Out of these, five species are often seen around Taiwan.

One of Taiwan's most remarkable spots is Xiao Liuqiu, a coral reef island in Pingtung County, where sea turtle density is among the highest in the world. This means that if you're planning an ocean adventure near Taiwan, you might not have to travel far to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Q2: Why Do Sea Turtles Eat Plastic Bags?

We've all seen the heartbreaking news about sea turtles mistakenly ingesting plastic. But why do these gentle creatures eat plastic bags? It turns out that it isn't because they are hungry for something else. Research from the University of Florida showed that when plastic is left in the ocean, it starts to release a certain chemical over time.

Additionally, microorganisms and algae begin to attach to the plastic, making it resemble a jellyfish. Since most sea turtles are carnivorous and have a natural taste for jellyfish, they end up confusing the plastic for a tasty snack. This unfortunate case of mistaken identity is one of the many ways our ocean pollution is harming marine life.

Q3: How Does Climate Change Affect Sea Turtle Gender?

Did you know that the temperature of the sand where sea turtles lay their eggs determines the gender of their hatchlings? For example, Loggerhead turtles usually lay eggs on beaches with temperatures ranging between 26°C and 32°C. When the temperature is higher than 32°C, most of the hatchlings turn out to be female, while around 28°C, more males are produced.

Recent trends due to global warming have skewed this delicate balance, with some studies showing ratios as extreme as 116 females for every male in certain populations. This imbalance poses a serious threat to the future of sea turtles, as a healthy population needs a balanced mix of both genders.

Q4: How Do Sea Turtles Help Mitigate Climate Change?

Sea turtles play an unexpected but crucial role in the fight against climate change. Green turtles, for instance, primarily feed on seagrass. Seagrass beds are vital to our marine ecosystems because they are extremely efficient at storing carbon – even more so than tropical rainforests.

By grazing on seagrass, green turtles help maintain these underwater meadows, ensuring that the seagrass continues to grow healthily and capture carbon from the atmosphere. Additionally, since many sea turtles also feed on jellyfish, they help control jellyfish populations, which can otherwise disrupt marine ecosystems if left unchecked. In this way, sea turtles are an important part of the natural process that helps slow down climate change.

Q5: Why Is the Green Turtle Called “Green Turtle”?

At first glance, you might wonder why the green turtle bears the name “Green.” Interestingly, it's not because of the color of its skin or shell. Instead, the name comes from the greenish hue of its fat.

Over time, as green turtles consume large amounts of seaweed and seagrass, the chlorophyll builds up in their fat, giving it a distinct green color. This unique characteristic has earned the green turtle its name and distinguishes it from other species in the ocean.

Q6: Do Sea Turtles Prefer to Gather in Groups or Stay Solitary?

Contrary to some popular movies that show sea turtles traveling in large, social groups, most sea turtles are actually quite solitary. They usually come together only during mating or nesting periods.

Outside of these times, sea turtles tend to roam the vast ocean on their own. This solitary behavior helps reduce competition for food and resources, allowing each turtle to have a better chance of survival in their expansive and often challenging marine environment.

Protecting Our Beloved Sea Turtles

Sea turtles have long captured our hearts, not only because of their beauty but also due to their vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Over the past centuries, human activities like hunting, fishing, and pollution have drastically reduced their numbers.

Today, sea turtles face threats from industrial fishing, plastic pollution, and the broader impacts of climate change. However, there is hope. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, many regions are now witnessing encouraging signs – fewer disturbances mean more turtles are able to nest safely.

Recent reports from countries like India, Australia, and Thailand have shared uplifting news about large numbers of turtles coming ashore to nest, which is a promising sign for their future.

In closing, we must remember that protecting sea turtles means protecting our oceans. These gentle creatures play a critical role in the health of our marine environment, and their survival is intertwined with the well-being of our planet.

We invite you, dear Lykkers, to support ocean conservation efforts, spread awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution, and advocate for policies that protect our blue planet.

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey into the world of sea turtles. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that these amazing travelers continue to grace our oceans for generations to come.