GrantcbaxterB2

 Sea Turtles: 

Turtle Facts:
 * Sea turtles are the only species of turtle that can live in open [|ocean].
 * Sea turtles cannot pull their heads or flippers into their shells, they automatically stay out.
 * They are very large, [|weighing] anywhere from 70-1,700 pounds, and are about 3 to 9 feet long when fully grown.
 * Sea turtles have salt glands behind their eyes to remove extra salt from the seawater they drink and the food they eat. They have Salty tears coming out of the corner of their eyes as if they are crying.
 * Sea turtles have flippers, other turtles have feet.
 * Sea turtles can live more than 50 years.

Why Turtles population is declining:

Their [|population] is still depleting today and in some spots of the world they are almost completely extinct. Sea turtles get over exploited and endangered because they are being hunted. The poachers want there oil, turtle oil is still used today in some cosmetics products. They use the skin for leather and also the shells are very valuable. Turtles used to be hunted to feed fishermen. Today, turtle meat is used for turtle soup. Predators seek the turtle eggs as a source of nutrients.

Another reason why turtle population is decreasing is because of something called [|Fibropapillomatosis]. Fibropapillomatosis is a disease in sea turtles that consists of them having multiple tumors on the skin and internal organs. These tumors make it very difficult for them to with swim, eat, breath. Finally the turtles become unable to move and die.

Green [|sea turtles], are fully protected under the federal [|Endangered Species Act]. This law prohibits hunting, injuring or harassing sea turtles or holding them in captivity without first obtaining a special permit for research or educational purposes. Fines for violating these laws protecting turtles can be as high as $100,000 and may even include some time in prison.

Sea turtle Nesting:

Sea turtle nesting season begins in the spring. it is said that female turtles migrate from feeding areas to the place of their birth place. Each female will lay an average of 3 nests per year, with about 14 days rest between each nest. Most sea turtles do not nest every year, instead they produce every 2 years.

They nesting process starts when the female crawls up on the beach and choose a location for there nest. Once they pick a spot they start to dig with there flippers There holes are about 2 feet deep, but it mostly depends on the size of the turtle. Next the female turtle will lay anywhere from 60 to 160 eggs in each nest. finally she covers the whole back up with sand and leaves them to fend for themselves.