Newborns break the egg by means of an extension of the upper part of their mouth, similar to a beak. The researchers attached GPS devices to them to track their entire journey. The longest migration documented to date was that of two leatherback turtles ( Dermatochelys coriacea), which traveled 12,000 kilometers on their spawning route. It’s believed that the migratory process in turtles can be guided by biological compasses, sea currents, water temperature and even by chemical concentrations in the water. In addition to spawning, they may take these routes to seek new foraging and mating sites. ![]() Sea turtles are the only reptiles that exhibit long-distance migratory behavior. When they finish, they cover the eggs with sand and leave.ĭuring spawning, they secrete the salts accumulated in the body through glands located in the eyes, giving the impression that they “cry”. If, during the process, they feel threatened, they interrupt the deposition and leave the nest. Depending on the species, they can lay 80 to 160 eggs. When the nest is ready, the turtles lay their eggs. They do it at night, which is when they are least in danger. They come out of the sea to create the nest by digging in the sand, a slow and costly process for them. Most females migrate after this period, some to spawn on the same beaches where they were born. The males can fight among themselves to find a mate, since they are polygamous species, and mate with more than one individual. Sea turtles go through a reproductive period prior to migration and spawning. ![]() They’re known to be solitary, although they can share foraging space with others. At present, 7 species of sea turtles are known, belonging to the Cheloniidae and Dermochelydae families.ĭue to their lifestyle, the details of their behavior are difficult to document. When they find a suitable place, they stand still and put their head and limbs inside the shell.īelonging to the Chelonioidea superfamily, sea turtles are characterized by being perfectly adapted to life in the sea, as they only go ashore to spawn. To ensure a safe rest, tortoises often look for secluded and hidden places in the vegetation. Most of them are herbivores and perform seed dispersal functions in their ecosystems. These chelonians spend more than 50% of their time resting. At this point, you may be wondering what is the difference is between a turtle and a tortoise – please see this article to clear this point up! This family of turtles (tortoises) is characterized by their thick and strong limbs, as well as their spherical and raised carapace. Most turtles belong to the Testudinidae family, which includes 42 species. We’re now going to get to know them in detail, with all their peculiarities. The behavior of turtles, as well as their characteristics and way of life, vary enormously from one group to another. ![]() Experts believe that the first turtles appeared between 220 and 210 million years ago, during the Triassic, which makes them the oldest existing reptiles. ![]() Both the shell and the plastron are made up of an outer layer of keratin and an inner layer of bone.Īt present, 250 species of turtles are recognized, distributed in 2 suborders ( Cryptodira and Pleurodira) and 15 families.
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