Kingdom animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class reptile
Order Testudines
Families Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae
Sea turtles are aquatic and marine animals, subdivided into two families: the Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae. In this one, we find a single species: the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), this name refers to the presence of fabric similar to leather, instead of a carapace covered by plates. In the Cheloniidae Family, we find animals with such a protective shield, with these characteristics, namely: hawksbill turtle (ANDretmochelys imbricata), arowana (Chelonia mydas), olive (Lepidochelys olivacea), bighead (caretta caretta), flatback turtle (Natator depression) and kemps ridley (Lepidochelys Kempii). All of them, except the last two, are found in Brazil.
Males and females are very similar to each other, and can only be differentiated, with the naked eye, in the adult phase: this is when the males have a very developed tail and nails. Most of these animals are omnivorous, although some consume only foods of animal origin.
They are migratory beings, returning to the beach where they were born during the breeding season, in order to deposit their eggs there. On the coast, this period lasts from September to March; and on the oceanic islands, from January to June: place and time when the arowana spawn. Approximately two months later, the eggs begin to hatch; and the chicks leave their nests towards the water. The olive tortoise reaches sexual maturity between the ages of ten and fifteen; while the others, around twenty to thirty years of life.
Although a single turtle is able to lay a large number of eggs, only 0.1% of the hatchlings will reach adulthood. In the first moments of their life, they are already subject to predation by birds, lizards and crabs; and also by carnivorous animals found in the sea. As adults, they can be captured by humans, aiming to use their meat and eggs in food; and its carapace in the making of artifacts. Indirectly, pollution, destruction of habitats, accumulation of plastic material in the sea, accidental fishing, among others factors, are responsible for the death of such animals, elucidating why all species have their populations in decline.
See below the conservation status of each, according to the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources):
Dermochelys coriacea - critically threatened
Eretmochelys imbricata – critically threatened
Chelonia mydas - in danger
Lepidochelys olivacea - vulnerable
caretta caretta - in danger
Natator depresseds – insufficient data
Lepidochelys Kempii – critically threatened
The positive news is that, since 1980, there has been a Brazilian Marine Turtle Conservation Program, also known as Tamar, linked to the Biodiversity Board of the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity-ICMBio, responsible for the study and conservation of these species.
The struggle and conquest of priority areas for conservation and effective measures to guarantee the quality of the environments in which these species are related, they also help to protect other life forms that coexist with sea turtles.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/animais/tartaruga-marinha.htm