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TROOP 10732
Sea Turtles
GIRL SCOUTS LOVE SEA TURTLES PATCH PROGRAM
Florida Sea Turtles by Madison
Sea Turtle Walk John U Lloyd State Park There are five different species of sea turtles in Florida; Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Kemp’s Ridley. During summer months, it is estimated that there are approximately 50,000 turtles in Florida waters. The most common sea turtles found in Florida are the Loggerheads. Also the Kemps Ridley are the rarest sea turtle in the world and the most endangered. The Kemps Ridley sea turtle is endangered because unlike other sea turtles, female Kemp’s Ridley turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the daylight hours, which can cause the sea turtles to be exposed to other animals that can eat them.
Sea Turtle Hatchling Release Nova Oceanographic Center Species of Sea Turtles by Aleah Hawksbill
Kemp’s Ridley
Green
Olive Ridley
Flatback
Leatherback
Loggerhead
TROOP #10732 SEA TURTLE ADVENTURES
SUMMER 2015
The Life of a Sea Turtle How many eggs does a Sea Turtle lay & how do they protect them against water, people and other things that might threaten their survival?
by Camila The amount varies by species. The number of eggs in a nest is called a clutch. They can lay more than one clutch during nesting season. On average, a sea turtle lays 110 eggs in a nest. They average between 2 to 8 nests per season. The smallest amount of eggs or clutches are laid by Flatback turtles with approximately 50 eggs per nest. The largest clutches are laid by Hawksbill turtles in which may lay over 200 eggs in a nest. Sea Turtles protect their eggs by covering them with sand.
How long does it take for a baby to hatch and how does he find the sea? by Isabella Sea turtles will have a hatchling success rate of 60-70%. There are magnetic cues that we know turtle hatchlings can work with (turtles will migrate towards certain fields), so we believe that has something to do with it, but the difference in the field between the nest and the ocean isn’t very much. It is more likely that they wander towards those fields. Loggerheads and green turtles eggs hatch in about 45-55 days. Leatherback eggs take a bit longer, reaching upwards of 70-80 days, sometimes longer. A natural or in situ nest will have a hatchling success rate of 80-100%, while a relocated nest will have a hatching success rate of 60-70%.
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TROOP #10732 SEA TURTLE ADVENTURES
SUMMER 2015
Sea Turtle Shell by Jessie There are two parts to the shell of a sea turtles: the upper portion is called the “carapace” and the bottom half is called the “plastron”. Both shells are actually made of many fused bones. The carapace is the fusion of about 50 bonesthe ribs and the vertebrae. The plastron is the fusion of bones including clavicles, and portions of the ribs. A bony bridge joins the carapace and the plastron along the side of the turtle. Some turtles have a moveable joint, usually in the plastron, which acts as a “hinge” and allows the turtle to pull the carapace and plastron together tightly, while the turtle retracts its body onto the shell. Shells have a blood and nerve
supply, so bleeding and pain can result if the shell is injured. Scutes: The shells are covered with a layer of keratin (the same type of material that makes up our fingernails or horses hooves). The keratin is arranged in patches called scutes, or shields. the carapace usually has 38 scutes, and the plastron, twelve to fourteen. The names and numbers of the scutes roughly correspond to the adjacent bones and body portions. The scutes, however do not precisely overlap the bones. Instead, they are staggered, which helps give the shell more rigidity.
Sea Turtle Art By Stephanie
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TROOP #10732 SEA TURTLE ADVENTURES
SUMMER 2015
Discover all the species and where they migrate to.
By Anamilena Hawksbill turtles migrate throughout the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Loggerhead turtles migrate around the North Atlantic Basin. Green turtles migrate through the Atlantic Ocean from the Ascension Island. Leatherback turtles migrate from the Atlantic Ocean. Olive Ridley turtles migrate from the Eastern Pacific and Indian Oceans. Kemp’s Ridley turtles migrate in the Gulf of Mexico; northward to the Mississippi area and southward to Campeche Bank, near the Yucatan Peninsula. Flatback turtles migrate from the northern coast of Australia and its islands of northeastern Australia.
Sea Turtles by Miaysia
There are five species of sea turtles that are found swimming in Florida waters and nesting on Florida’s beaches. All sea turtles found in Florida are protected under state statutes. Sea turtles come ashore to nest beginning in May and hatching continues until late October. A sea turtle must drag its massive weight out of the water to the dunes. The turtle disguises the nest by flipping sand over it. Once she leaves the nest, she never returns. All sea turtle species are in danger of becoming extinct. The main danger for hatchlings is artificial lighting. Other dangers include, obstructions on the beach, such as, beach chairs, holes or tire tracks in the sand, all of which can block the path to the sea. 4
TROOP #10732 SEA TURTLE ADVENTURES
SUMMER 2015
Survival by Jennifer & Gianna Save Sea Turtles
Threats to Sea Turtle Survival
Sea Turtles are one endangered species of many in Florida. Leatherback turtles are almost extinct. Also the green sea turtles. Most of our sea turtles are in danger because they are caught in fishing nets, getting tangled in them and not able to get air. Sea turtles get caught on fish hooks on their gills, making it hard to breathe. Some people actually take sea turtle eggs from the turtles nest. Making the turtles population smaller, even though it is hard enough to survive out in the ocean. Pollution is damaging the habitats of Florida’s sea turtles. We, citizens of Florida, can help the number of sea turtles by not polluting the oceans, being careful while fishing, especially while driving on boats. We should also be aware of nests, try our best to protect sea turtle nests on the beaches, and stop people taking the eggs of sea turtles. People can also clean up trash on beaches, turn off visible lights from beaches so baby sea turtles can get to sea by the light of the moon. And lastly, volunteer where there are many options to help and improve the lives of sea turtles. These endangered sea turtles are part of this world and do not deserve to become extinct. Jennifer
Humans are usually the main cause for a rapid decline in sea turtle population. Humans endanger the lives of sea turtles, without being aware that they are. Three things that threaten sea turtles survival are poor fishing practices, Fibropapollomas, and pollution and marine debris consumption. To begin with, poor fishing practices threaten sea turtle lives. Accidentally, fishing gear captures thousands of sea turtles every year. The sea turtles cannot get out of the net to breathe and the result is death. Fibropapillomas are a type of tumor caused by a contagious, herpes-like virus found in sea turtles. It mostly affects the green sea turtle, but is sometimes found in other species. The virus causes large tumors to grow on the soft tissue. They grow internally and externally, which can interfere with basic functions of their daily life and cause death. The cause of these tumors is unknown. Trash and plastic in our oceans are a growing problem. Not only does this trash get eaten by marine life, but plastics release harmful chemicals into our oceans and poison the water for everyone. When sea turtles swallow trash it can make them very sick and can block their intestines, leading to death. Gianna 5
TROOP #10732 SEA TURTLE ADVENTURES
SUMMER 2015
Discover Sea Turtles: Success Stories of Conservation by Kennedy & Mackenzie
THE STORY OF ANDRE THE SEA TURTLE Andre, an endangered green sea turtle, will return to the wild after over 13 months of rehabilitation using medical technology rarely used on animals. Having beaten the odds after sustaining multiple watercraft injuries, Andre will make his way back to the ocean in hopes that he will mate during sea turtle nesting season. Andre arrived at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in critical condition. Beachgoers noticed him stranded on a sandbar. Onlookers brought Andre to shore where they called Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a nonprofit facility whose mission is to promote conservation of Florida’s coastal ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The center’s core competencies include education, research and rehabilitation. Andre’s injuries left his body cavity exposed. Other conditions included a collapsed lung, pneumonia and a badly damaged shell. Doctors reached out to colleagues at a nearby hospital for guidance and was directed to a company that specializes in new technologies and therapies designed to make wound healing manageable for caregivers and more comfortable for patients. The company worked with the doctors to help Andre heal his wounds. Over 200 supporters have adopted the turtle from 25 states in the U.S., and countries outside the U.S. People from all over the world have logged on to watch Andre’s progress over a live webcam that hovers above his tank. Others have mailed in stacks of get well cards. Andre has resonated with the center's 200,000 annual visitors as a symbol of the continued need for ocean conservation. His story has inspired a lot of people! Mackenzie
HONU, the Hawaiian Green SeaTurtle:A Conservation Story Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are called Honu. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. According to literature published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), honu populations were in severe decline in the 1960s and 1970s, due to over-harvest. Since protection was granted for the species, it has made an incredible recovery, increasing over 53 percent in the last 25 years. Not only are honu part of island lore and culture, an emblem of the islands, this recovery makes them an icon of successful conservation efforts. All it took was a change in human behavior. Now that harvesting turtles and turtle eggs is illegal, honu surround the islands. Honu are part of the beauty of the islands, and their presence is a reminder that the natural world and the human world only work in balance. Kennedy