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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 9, 2011
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The turtle tale MAZE Help these turtles get back to the ocean
Ali and Rida were building sandcastles at Karachi’s Sandspit beach when huge waves crashed onto the shore. As the waves rose high into the air before crashing onto the glittering sand, they saw within them, large, heavy creatures with a wide, smooth shell. They were none other than the marine turtles, popularly known as sea turtles. You’d be surprised to know that they have been on earth for more than 200 million years — which means they existed even before the dinosaurs ... now that’s older than old! You may have studied about them in your Science class ... now keep reading to find out what you’ve missed!
Karachi beaches home to green turtles You must have been to Sandspit, but did you ever wonder how it got that name? Sandspit refers to the pits made by the green turtles that come to the beach every year to bury their eggs. These pits can be observed on the beachside during winter months. Hawkes Bay and Sandspit are the prime places in Karachi to spot turtles. But unfortunately, these turtles are now in danger because of sea pollution and in some countries, they are even being hunted for eating. Hard to believe but it’s true.
In ancient myths and legends, the turtle is regarded as a symbol of strength, stability, benevolence, and wisdom. For ancient Greeks, the turtle was sacred. Perhaps the oldest legend — in which the turtle is considered to be the second incarnation of the powerful god Vishnu — comes from India and Hinduism. After a great flood, which occurs every four billion years and dissolves the Earth, Vishnu transforms himself into a great turtle. On his back, by sheer force of will, he supports the vessel in which the gods and demons mix the elements necessary to recreate the globe. After a thousand years, when the Earth has been reborn, the turtle remains in place, and on his back stands a large elephant (or four smaller elephants, in some versions), which support the planet. In Chinese myth, an immense turtle actually became the world, which is contained within its shell. The bottom, flat part of its shell (the plastron) contained the oceans and the earth’s floor. The great, domed upper half (the carapace or the shell) formed the heavens, complete with stars and planets. In Hindu mythology, black, soft-shelled turtles are believed to represent the souls of dead sinners, who have been trans-
Arribada — the grand arrival The sea turtle is the only animal (reptile) that returns to its birthplace, every single year, after journeying more than 1,000 kilometres. Two species of marine turtles — the Olive Ridley and the Kemp Ridley — turtles display a unique natural phenomena called Arribada. Arribada is a Spanish word, which means ‘arrival’. It is a peculiar behaviour among these sea turtles, in which thousands of egg-bearing females come ashore at the same time to lay a large number of eggs unlike other turtles who usually lay eggs individually. The Olive and Kemp turtles have developed this behaviour to ensure that their offspring are able to live because a large number of predators sit at the coast waiting for the egg shells to break, and eat the baby turtles as they start their journey towards the sea.
formed into reptiles by a 13th century saint. The Thais believe that if you free a turtle, you will find relief from sadness, while the Vietnamese believe that if you see a turtle crossing the street, your plans will be delayed. The Chinese believe patting the shell of a turtle or tortoise will bring you luck and in parts of Angola, it is believed that putting a tortoise shell underneath your door will help you ward off a rival.
Did you know? • Turtles live on every continent except Antarctica. • Some turtles, such as the Musk turtle, emit an odour when startled. • The smallest turtle, the Speckled Padloper is four-incheslong, whereas the largest is the Leatherback sea turtle that can reach up to 10 feet in length. • Turtles cannot protrude their tongues from their mouths. • Many turtles are expert climbers. • A group of turtles is called a bale. • Instead of teeth, turtles have a sharp beak for eating. The earliest turtles did have teeth and could not retract their heads. • Some turtles can live up to a year without food. • Turtles shed their skin in small flakes rather than pieces like other reptiles. • The largest turtle in the world is the Leathery Turtle whose shell is up to 2.4 metres long and can weigh up to 860kg. • A turtle never knows its parents: All turtles, whether they live on land or in water, lay their eggs in nests dug in the earth. The turtle will then cover her eggs with sand, and depart without ever looking back.
Can turtles hear? Do they have ears? Yes. They may not have the “outer-ears” that stick out of their heads like yours, but they do have the “inner ear” mechanisms like other animals. They also have the auditory nerve and brain centre required for hearing. Turtles do not hear airborne sounds as loudly as you do, but they can sense and interpret vibrations in the environment. Hearing probably isn’t very important to them, because their senses of vision and smell are excellent.
Why do turtles live so long? The average life span of a sea turtle is 80 years depending upon their habitat; some may even live up to 100 years. They manage to live so long because their bodies do not become weak with age, as in the case of humans and birds. In fact, they continue to grow very, very slowly for as long as they live. Their bodies do not need much energy to survive. They can even live for long periods without water or food. ha ha ha
Folklore and superstitions
Why did the turtle cross the road?
The turtle has been a part of cultural history in almost every part of the world. Turtle images appeared on Greek coins six centuries before the birth of Christ, and today, they are found on postage stamps around the world.
To go to the Shell station! He was running on empty!
ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID
What do turtles use to communicate? SHELLphone!!! What kind of turtles and are easy to see? Green See (sea) turtles. Why did the judge send the turtle to jail? Because he was known as a hard case. Why is Turtle Wax so expensive?
Pull-along paper bowl turtle
How to make
Materials needed • • • • • • • • • •
Green construction paper Large paper bowl Poster paint Crayons String Wiggle eyes or flat beads Paint brush White glue Scissors Pencil
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Instructions:
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Trace the outline of a paper bowl’s rim on green construction paper. Draw a turtle’s head on top of the circle, a tail at the bottom, and two pairs of legs along the sides. 3. Cut out the turtle outline. 4. Punch a small hole about an inch from the rim of the paper bowl. 5. Paint the paper bowl to transform it into a turtle’s shell. Green turtles are pretty popular but you can choose your turtle’s shell colour. 6. Make big spots or other patterns on your turtle’s shell. You can finger paint or use your paint brush. Once you’re finished, set the bowl aside to dry. 7. Glue a pair of wiggle eyes or beads for your turtle’s eyes. Draw a nose and mouth with crayons. 8. Slightly curl the head, legs and tail. 9. Cut the string two to three feet long and insert one end through the hole on the paper bowl. Make a knot on this end of the string. 10. Glue the shell on top of the body. Position the shell in such a way that the string is in front. 11. Let the glue dry completely before taking your turtle out for a walk. SOURCE: FIRSTPALETTE.COM
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Because turtles have such tiny ears.