Marine ReptilesMarine ReptilesClass ReptiliaClass Reptilia

Characteristics of Reptiles; Cold Blooded (Ectotherm) Three Chambered Heart Scales Oviparous Reproduction

Salt Glands to rid excess salt in ocean species

Restricted to temperate or warm areas

Chuckwalla, Isla Ventana

Crocodiles; marine sp.Crocodiles; marine sp.Saltwater Crocodiles; Florida,

Australia, Asia AfricaCrocodiles have specialized 4

chambered heart

Sea SnakesSea SnakesVenomous50 species(one sp.) Calif. To EcuadorModified flattened body

Marine LizardsMarine LizardsMarine Iguana of the

Galapagos Is.Modified flattened tailEat algae on rocks in the seaUnique example of natural

selection

Sea TurtlesSea Turtles6 species, all are endangeredScales fused into hard

carapace (shell)Extensive migration patterns

for egg laying on tropical beaches

Green Sea TurtleGreen Sea TurtleRange; San Diego to TropicsFood; eel grass and sea

weeds

Green Sea Turtle

Loggerhead turtleLoggerhead turtleRange; S. Calif. To tropicsFood; crabs, mollusks,

jellyfish, eelgrass

Loggerhead

Leatherback TurtleLeatherback TurtleRange; all warmer seas

Food; jellyfish

Leatherback

Pacific Ridley TurtlePacific Ridley TurtleRange; N. Baja Mex. To

tropicsFood; sea weed, Mollusks,

urching

Hawksbill TurtleHawksbill TurtleRange; TropicsFood; predator, fish etc.

Hawksbill

Olive Ridley TurtleOlive Ridley TurtleRange;

Olive Ridley

Kemp’s Ridley

Australian Flatback

Black Turtle, West coast of Mex.

Exploitation by ManExploitation by ManMeatEggsLeatherShells (Hawksbill) (tortoise

shell)Oil (lotions etc.)

Eating raw turtle eggs; for ?????

Egg

Poaching,

Costa Rica

Olive Ridley snagged

in a longline set

for sharks.

Costa Rica, Pacific

Conservation Conservation EffortsEfforts

‘Farm’ raising for food and for release

into wildGuarding breeding beachesLaws, regulations,(enforcement

problems)

Antonio Resendiz, Bahia de Los Angeles

Protected nesting beach at Rancha Nuevo, Mex.

Kemp’s Ridley hatchlings