Hawksbill Sea Turtle
The hawksbill is quite a peculiar name, but makes complete sense after it’s explained. The mouth of these turtles is narrow and pointed resembling a beak, hence the name hawksbill (Hawksbill Turtle). The hawksbill sea turtle is a stunning, tropical turtle with many interesting habits and characteristics.
This particular sea turtle has many unique physical characteristics that set it apart from other sea turtles. These turtles are rather small when compared to others. The average measurements for weight and length are 80 kg and 87 cm (Edelman). “The carapace (top shell) has a tortoiseshell coloring, ranging from dark to golden brown, with streaks of orange, red, and/or black…. [and] the plastron (bottom shell) is clear yellow (Hawksbill Sea Turtle).” Although male and females both look similar, males tend to be more colorful, have a concave plastron, long claws, and a thicker tail and females have a carapace that curves outward. Other features besides color are, two claws on each front limb, two pairs of prefrontal scales on the head, and a toothless mouth with strong jaws that are capable of crushing and biting its food (Edelman) (Hawksbill Sea Turtle, National Wildlife).
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These omnivores eat mollusks, marine algae, crustaceans, sea urchins, fish, jellyfish and their favorite- sponges (Hawksbill Sea Turtle, National Geographic). Being their favorite food, hawksbills can eat an average of 1200 lbs of sponges a year. Despite the sponges being made up of tiny glasslike needles, eating them does no harm to the turtles. Some of the turtles’ food can be toxic, but the turtles are able to absorb the toxins through their body fat without being harmed them or becoming ill (Hawksbill Sea Turtle, National Wildlife). Feeding on these sponges also benefits underwater ecosystems by allowing more space for other organisms to
In the Grapes of Wrath, a novel by John Steinbeck, there are many examples of symbolism. One of the most prominent symbols found in this book is the turtle seen in chapter three. This turtle is symbolic of three things: the Joads and their journey west, Tom Joad himself, and the promise of new life. First, here’s a little background information on the turtle. This land turtle was somewhere to go. Where than is, no one knows, except perhaps John Steinbeck. To get there the turtle decides to take the perilous journey down a dusty dirt road that stretches along the quiet countryside. What could happen? A lot more than one might think. In fact, the turtle faces quite a few challenged ranging from pesky insects, to ledges, to even cars. But, the thing that makes this turtle special is that he never gives up (Pages
As you may have already guessed, the Red Eared Slider Turtle has derived its name from its bright scarlet ears which are its distinguishing features and set it apart from its other "slider" cousins. There are many reasons why the red eared slider turtle is the most popular pick among pet turtles.
Native American Legends are Great Spirit that are the basis of Indian theory. Many differ from how the earth was created to how humans were made. Each story shows how the worlds, traditions, and beliefs came to earth. The Earths on Turtles Back, When Grizzly Walked up right, and The Navajo Origin Legend, all show the attitudes and traditions native americans created.
“And though she breathes the way we breathe, with scarcely perceptible movements of her chest, sometimes instead she pumps her throat ruminatively, like a pipe smoker sucking and puffing.”
The green sea turtles have been taken out of the Atlantic Ocean for several years, so now they are an endangered species. Today, the green sea turtles population is growing and in the Florida Refuge they counted up to over 12,000 turtle nests. It is shocking to see how much the refuges care about the green sea turtles. They have been looking out for the turtles for 35 years. It was interesting to find out that these green sea turtles live for a really long time. It takes the turtles 25 years just to mature. This article caught my eye because I love science and animals. Knowing that people are taking care of what used to be endangered animals really means a lot to me. I hate seeing animals hurt or struggling to survive. Because of the refuges
In the coral reef habitat, food consumption is based on sunlight. The sunlight gives food to the plants, bacteria and algae, which is eaten by the plant eaters or herbivores, such as parrotfishes. The bigger carnivores, such as the Whitetip Reef Shark, in the ecosystem then eat those fishes along with the bacteria and plankton in the water. On the other hand, the deep sea is based on dead animal bodies or waste, shown in the fake whale carcass in the deep sea exhibit. Organisms of the deep sea feed on waste because sunlight does not have the ability to reach that deep in the ocean. Nektons are the fishes that feed on the waste produced by the epipelagic zone.
The American alligators have many physical characteristics. Their size ranges from six to twelve feet. A full grown male can weigh up to one thousand and two hundred pounds. The American alligator has a long round snout with nostrils at the end. An alligator has two eyes towards the top of its head. Also alligators have a long thin body that has four legs and a long tail (EDIS, 2009)
On average, Loggerhead Sea Turtles have a life span of more than 50 years and weigh 250 pounds. (CITE?) Loggerheads are known for their large heads, strong jaws and a heart-shaped reddish-brown
Redfoot tortoises native habitat is a range through South America. They live in Argentina and Panama. they will inhabit temperate forest, live in grasslands and Savannas in South America. They’ve been seen on the Caribbean islands of Barbados and Trinidad. They will live in forest, rainforest, and dry forest all throughout a range down in South America.
But why do they matter? Green turtles graze on seagrasses and algae, which helps maintain the seagrass beds. By doing so, these turtles help the beds become more productive which is key to a healthy ecosystem. After the seagrass is consumed by the Green sea turtles, it is digested and its nutrients are recycled back to the seagrass and the organisms that live with it. Furthermore, seagrass beds are also used as nurseries for several species and these nurseries are important for species growth which will richen the ecosystem.
Female sea lions range from 5 to 6.5 feet in length, weighing between 110-240 pounds. Males are much larger than females. Sea lions have fusiform bodies, allowing them ease of movement through the water. While the color of sea lions vary, males are typically chocolate brown while females and young males are tan, and pups are dark chocolate brown. Males lighten as they age. The foreflippers of a sea lion are large and resemble wings, allowing the sea lion to swim. There is no hair on the foreflippers, and the foreflippers also lack claws. This allows the sea lion to use the foreflippers in a winglike motion to propel themselves through water. The hind flippers are used to steer while swimming, and, on land, the sea lion can rotate the hind flippers underneath the pelvis area which allows the animal to support its weight and walk on all fours (SeaWorld: California Sea Lions: Physical Characteristics).
Leatherbacks enjoy eating soft-bodied prey. Their favorite animal to eat is the jellyfish. Leatherbacks are able to eat gummy prey because of their pointed cusps and razor sharp jaws. Their mouths and throats have spines that point backwards which help keep hold of their tacky prey (Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea)). The Leatherback will eat so many jellyfish that they will eat up to twice their body weight per day.
In addition, harvesting chelonian sea turtles for food, and even pet trade (Flanagan, 2014). The sea turtles mistake gelatinous plankton for plastic that is floating in the sea due to pollution (Mrosovsky et al., 2009). VIII. Conclusion From the extensive research it can be learned that both the Green Sea Turtle and the Passenger Pigeon are not only a beautiful creation of evolution but also that both have similarities and differences. They both experience decline in their species in the beginning in the situation of the passenger Pigeon.
Endangered is when there is very little of a species and they could easily become extinct. Extinct is when there is no more of that species left on earth. There are 16 endangered whale and dolphin species. Some are more endangered than most like the maui dolphin. Dolphins are endangered because they get caught in fishing line, are killed for food, and their habitat is contaminated by oil spills.
To truly protect sea turtles around the world, many different countries and cultures must cooperate and share responsibilities. International laws and agreements, research, and the work of dedicated organizations and individuals each must play a part. Long-term protection of sea turtles also means developing solutions that reduce reliance on management methods requiring direct human involvement such as moving nests or raising hatchlings in captivity. If sea turtles cannot survive and reproduce on their own, without the help from humans, then they are doomed. Feeding and nesting grounds must be protected, and a public wildlife conservation ethic must be fostered that can withstand gaps in government regulations, pressure from private interests,