World Sea Turtle Day 2023 (US): Facts, Dates and History

World Sea Turtle Day 2023: World marine Turtle Day is observed annually on June 16 in order to bring attention to the plight of marine turtles. Each year, approximately eight tonnes of plastic are deposited into our oceans. This is so dangerous for sea turtles that six out of eight marine turtle species are on the brink of extinction. Other threats to sea turtles include the encroachment of coastal development on nesting beaches, marine pollution, accidental drowning on fishing gear, and the international trade in turtle flesh. Join hands with us to bring attention to this vital issue and save lives.

HISTORY OF WORLD SEA TURTLE DAY

World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated on July 16, which is Dr. Archie Carr’s birthday. Dr. Carr is regarded as the “father of sea turtle biology.” Dr. Carr is renowned for having devoted his entire career to the study and protection of marine turtles. Having remained unaltered for 110 million years, sea turtles are among the oldest creatures on Earth. New research techniques, such as satellite monitoring technology, have enabled scientists to gain insight into these animals’ lives. Previously, the majority of information on these creatures was centred on their nesting females and hatchlings.

During the summer, turtles perform an ancient mating ritual in which the female exits the water and crawls ashore to dig a nest. The female turtle digs the nest with her hind flippers and deposits approximately 100 eggs. After depositing its eggs, a turtle will cover them and camouflage the nest site before returning to the ocean. Turtles that nest may return to the nesting site multiple times and typically deposit eggs every two to three years.

Temperature has a significant effect on the gender ratio of sea turtles. It is found that warmer temperatures produce more females, whereas lower temperatures produce more males. After two months of incubation, the eggs emerge. The hatchling travels towards the sea at night by utilising the bright night sky. Artificial lighting can prevent the hatchlings from locating the ocean.

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5 FACTS CONCERNING SEA TURTLES

Turtles are toothless

The keratin-based upper and lower mandible of turtles are extremely durable.

Shells of turtles are comprised of bones.

Shells are composed of over 50 fused bones, so turtles’ shells are simply their bones.

The greatest danger is plastic.

One out of every two turtles mistake plastic for jellyfish and ingest it.

Only 1 in 1,000 turtle embryos hatch.

Littering on the beach significantly hinders the ability of hatchlings to access the ocean.

They are capable of swimming great distances.

The female leatherback turtle swims approximately 13,000 miles in 647 days.