The life cycle of a sea turtle begins with the female sea turtle laying eggs on a sandy beach. Depending on the species, females can lay anywhere from 100 to 200 eggs per clutch, and may lay several clutches per year. After laying the eggs, the female returns to the ocean, leaving the eggs to incubate in the sand for about 60 to 75 days.
Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings emerge from the nest and make their way to the ocean. This is a dangerous journey, as the hatchlings are vulnerable to predators such as birds and crabs. Once they reach the ocean, the hatchlings are on their own and must fend for themselves.
As the sea turtles grow, they go through several developmental stages, including the juvenile stage, the sub-adult stage, and the adult stage. Each stage is characterized by different physical and behavioral characteristics.
Sea Turtles are long-lived species, with an average lifespan of around 30 to 50 years.
Once they reach maturity, sea turtles return to their natal beach to reproduce, completing the cycle.
Sea Turtles play an important role in marine ecosystem and are facing a decline in population due to overharvesting of eggs, hunting of adults, coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Many sea turtle populations are considered endangered and protected by international law.
