mariana island sea turtles
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Mariana Island Sea Turtles. Background. Populations of sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs but their numbers have been drastically reduced since interactions between humans and sea turtles began. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Mariana Island Sea Turtles
BackgroundBackground Populations of sea turtles have been around since the time
of the dinosaurs but their numbers have been drastically reduced since interactions between humans and sea turtles began.
In addition to direct harvest, population declines have more recently been driven by factors such as incidental capture in commercial fisheries, habitat degradation, introduction of feral predators on nesting beaches, and marine pollution.
Populations of sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs but their numbers have been drastically reduced since interactions between humans and sea turtles began.
In addition to direct harvest, population declines have more recently been driven by factors such as incidental capture in commercial fisheries, habitat degradation, introduction of feral predators on nesting beaches, and marine pollution.
Sea turtles are endangered!Sea turtles are endangered! Hawksbill and green
turtles protected in CNMI by law under the Endangered Species Act
Turtles still illegally hunted today at unknown levels
Limited information available on turtles in the CNMI on which to base management decisions and recovery efforts, especially on hawksbills
Hawksbill and green turtles protected in CNMI by law under the Endangered Species Act
Turtles still illegally hunted today at unknown levels
Limited information available on turtles in the CNMI on which to base management decisions and recovery efforts, especially on hawksbills
Photo by: Laura Williams
Near shore Turtles of the Marianas
Near shore Turtles of the Marianas
Green sea turtleChelonia mydas
Haggan betde
Green sea turtleChelonia mydas
Haggan betde
Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricata Haggan cari
Hawksbill vs Green TurtleHawksbill vs Green Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Two pairs of prefrontal scales
Hawksbill Turtle
Two pairs of prefrontal scales
Green Turtle
One pair of prefrontal scales
Green and Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings
Green and Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings
Offshore Turtles of the Marianas
Offshore Turtles of the Marianas
Leatherback turtleDermochelys coriacea
Loggerhead turtleCaretta caretta
Olive Ridley turtleLepidochelys olivacea
Sea turtles are ReptilesWhat does that mean?Sea turtles are ReptilesWhat does that mean?
They breathe air from the water’s surface They are cold-blooded which means they
get their body heat from the environment rather than making their own
Their skin has scales They lay eggs
They breathe air from the water’s surface They are cold-blooded which means they
get their body heat from the environment rather than making their own
Their skin has scales They lay eggs
What do sea turtles eat? It depends on the kind of turtle…
What do sea turtles eat? It depends on the kind of turtle…
Loggerhead vs. LeatherbackLoggerhead vs. Leatherback Some have finely serrated jaws adapted for vegetarian diet
Others have jaws adapted for crushing and grinding
Or they have narrow heads and pointy jaws adapted for getting food out of crevices in coral reefs
While still some have very delicate scissor-like jaws
Some have finely serrated jaws adapted for vegetarian diet
Others have jaws adapted for crushing and grinding
Or they have narrow heads and pointy jaws adapted for getting food out of crevices in coral reefs
While still some have very delicate scissor-like jaws
Carnivore, Herbivore, or Omnivore?
Carnivore, Herbivore, or Omnivore?
Green turtles: algae and seagrass Hawksbills: sponges, shrimps,
and squid Leatherbacks: jellyfish Loggerheads & Ridleys: crabs,
lobsters, jellyfish, & vegetation
Green turtles: algae and seagrass Hawksbills: sponges, shrimps,
and squid Leatherbacks: jellyfish Loggerheads & Ridleys: crabs,
lobsters, jellyfish, & vegetation
Photo by: Peter Bennett
How fast and far can sea turtles swim?How fast and far can sea turtles swim?
Most turtles can swim for short bursts to 20mph, but some green turtles have been clocked up to 35mph!
They can swim for long distances, some travel up to 2500 miles!
Most turtles can swim for short bursts to 20mph, but some green turtles have been clocked up to 35mph!
They can swim for long distances, some travel up to 2500 miles!
How long can sea turtles hold their breath? It depends…
How long can sea turtles hold their breath? It depends…
On their size, adult turtles can hold it for 2 hours while they sleep but when they are active they usually come to the surface every 15-20 minutes
On their size, adult turtles can hold it for 2 hours while they sleep but when they are active they usually come to the surface every 15-20 minutes
On the species, hawksbill turtles can’t hold their breath for as long as leatherback turtles
On the species, hawksbill turtles can’t hold their breath for as long as leatherback turtles
Green Turtle NestingGreen Turtle Nesting
How many eggs do sea turtles lay and what do they look like?
How many eggs do sea turtles lay and what do they look like?
Depending on the kind of turtle they can lay between 100 and 180 eggs per nest @ 3-6 nests per season
They are the size of ping-pong balls (unless you are a leatherback and then they are the size of billiard balls
Depending on the kind of turtle they can lay between 100 and 180 eggs per nest @ 3-6 nests per season
They are the size of ping-pong balls (unless you are a leatherback and then they are the size of billiard balls
They are leathery and flexible (unlike a chicken egg) so when they are dropped into the nest they do not break
They are leathery and flexible (unlike a chicken egg) so when they are dropped into the nest they do not break
Research performed under USFWS permit TE-017352-15
Nest InventoryNest Inventory
Eggs incubate under the sand for 2 months
After they hatch we count the number of hatched and unhatched eggs to calculate the hatch success rate
Eggs incubate under the sand for 2 months
After they hatch we count the number of hatched and unhatched eggs to calculate the hatch success rate
Research performed under USFWS permit TE-017352-15
Research performed under USFWS permit TE-017352-15
Escape from
Predators!
Escape from
Predators!Photo by: Mark Sullivan
Photo by: Mark Sullivan
Photo by: PIFSC/NOAA
Indigenous hand-capture methodIndigenous hand-capture method
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Photo by: K. Hayashi
Photo by: K. Hayashi
Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01
Photo by: K. Hayashi
Photo by: K. Hayashi
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Nearshore TaggingNearshore Tagging
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Flipper taggingFlipper tagging
Return address on tags: SPREP, P.O. Box 240, Apia, Samoa
Photo by: Joe Ruak
Photo by: Joe Ruak
Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01
n = 1500 migration records
PIT tag scanning and applicationPIT tag scanning and application
A Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag is smaller than apenny and isinserted insidethe flipper
It can last up to 75 years and usually remain much longer than metal flipper tags in animals.
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01
Tissue biopsy samplesTissue biopsy samples
Skin samples are taken for DNA lab tests
From this we can tell who CNMI sea turtle’s family members are and what other countries they are from
Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01
Measuring turtle shellsMeasuring turtle shells
Measuring a turtle’s shell length and width
Allows scientists to measure how quickly or slowly a turtle grows between captures
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01
Measuring weight and taking photosMeasuring weight and taking photos
Preparing to measure a turtle’s weight on a scale
Photographing a turtle’s face gives us the turtle’s “fingerprint” each pattern is unique
Photo by: Mark Michael
Photo by: Lynne Michael
Research performed under NMFS permit #15661-01
Satellite tagging & trackingSatellite tagging & tracking
Photo by: Shawn Wusstig
Migration routes & recapture locations of sat tagged Guam green turtles
•To learn more about sea turtle movements and behavior.•We have found that turtles travel great distances from foraging grounds to nesting beaches.•Passing through the waters of many countries has highlighted the migratory nature of sea turtles, and the need for the Pacific region to work together to strengthen conservation initiatives.
Why do we satellite tag turtles?
Why do we satellite tag turtles?
Photo by: Shawn Wusstig
Things you can do in your community to help
sea turtles…
Things you can do in your community to help
sea turtles…
Volunteer with TASI Watch (MINA) or get involved with KHS Marine Biology Club!
Myrtle says… dispose of trash properly and walk the beach, don’t drive it
Myrtle says… dispose of trash properly and walk the beach, don’t drive it
Photo by: www.ethicalocean.com
Myrtle says… treat animals with respect: do not crowd, attempt to feed, ride, touch, or harass
Myrtle says…please don’t keep us as pets, we are much happier swimming and eating
in the wide open spaces of the ocean!
Myrtle says…please don’t keep us as pets, we are much happier swimming and eating
in the wide open spaces of the ocean!
Myrtle says…if you find a stranded, sick, or injured turtle call DLNR-DFW, 911 or crime
stoppers at 323-PARA so we can get a doctors help!
Myrtle says…if you find a stranded, sick, or injured turtle call DLNR-DFW, 911 or crime
stoppers at 323-PARA so we can get a doctors help!
I don’t feel well…
Thank you!
Information Resources In Your Library
For More Help!For More Help!
Internet resourcesInternet resourcesVolunteer with Tasi Watch (MINA)
Mariana Islands Sea Turtles
www.ihaggan.com
NOAA Sea Turtles
www.fpir.noaa.gov
Turtle Trax www.turtles.org
International Sea Turtle Society
www.seaturtle.org
Mariana Islands Sea Turtles
www.ihaggan.com
NOAA Sea Turtles
www.fpir.noaa.gov
Turtle Trax www.turtles.org
International Sea Turtle Society
www.seaturtle.org
Report sea turtle strandings:
287-8537 (CTRTLES)287-8537 (CTRTLES)911911
323-PARA323-PARA989-6096 (DLNR)989-6096 (DLNR)