Baby sea turtles are born from eggs laid in nests on sandy beaches. The mother turtle carefully selects the nesting site and covers the eggs with sand before returning to the ocean.
The temperature of the nest plays a crucial role in determining the sex of the baby sea turtles. Warmer temperatures generally result in more females, while cooler temperatures produce more males.
Baby sea turtles have a strong instinct to navigate towards the ocean as soon as they hatch. They use natural cues like the slope of the beach and the reflection of the moonlight on the water to guide them.
Once in the ocean, baby sea turtles embark on a perilous journey. They face numerous predators, including birds, crabs, and fish, which makes their survival rate very low. Only a small fraction of hatchlings make it to adulthood.
Baby sea turtles have a unique shell called a carapace that provides protection. It is initially soft but becomes harder as the turtle grows. The carapace is crucial for their survival, shielding them from predators and environmental hazards.
Despite being small and vulnerable, baby sea turtles are capable swimmers. They use their flippers to navigate through the water and are remarkably efficient at swimming, allowing them to cover long distances.
Baby sea turtles are omnivores, consuming a variety of food sources. They primarily feed on small marine organisms, such as seaweed, jellyfish, and small crustaceans.
Baby sea turtles have an impressive lifespan. Depending on the species, they can live anywhere from 30 to 100 years if they survive the critical stages of their early life.