Sea Turtle Conservation PDF

ALL ABOUT Sea Turtles Turtles vs. Tortoises The main difference between these related reptiles is where they live! Tortoises live entirely on land, while turtles usually live in or near the water. Tortoises have dome-shaped shells and sturdy legs that can support their weight on land, while turtles...

ALL ABOUT Sea Turtles Turtles vs. Tortoises The main difference between these related reptiles is where they live! Tortoises live entirely on land, while turtles usually live in or near the water. Tortoises have dome-shaped shells and sturdy legs that can support their weight on land, while turtles have paddle- shaped limbs, webbed feet, and slimmer shells that allow them to move easily in the water. VS. Hawksbill Types of Sea Turtles There are seven different species of sea turtles: Green Turtles, Leatherbacks, Loggerheads, Hawksbills, Flatbacks Olive Ridleys, and Kemp’s Ridleys. Olive Ridleys and Kemp’s Ridleys are the smallest species, measuring about 2 ft. long and weighing up to 100 lbs. Leatherbacks are the largest species, measuring 4-6 ft. Loggerhead long and weighing up to 1,100 lbs. Where do sea turtles live? Sea turtles spend their entire lives at sea! They live in almost every ocean habitat in the world, except the coldest waters around the north and south poles. Leatherbacks can live in the coldest temperatures and are sometimes found in water as cold as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most turtles prefer water closer to 70 degrees. What do sea turtles eat? Different species of turtles eat different foods, including jellyfish, seaweed, algae, coral, crabs, and sponges. Some sea turtles have a beak-like mouth with sharp edges that is perfect for biting chunks of seaweed or scraping off algae. Other turtles have strong jaws that allow them to crush hard-shelled prey.  ALL ABOUT Sea Turtles Where do sea turtles lay their eggs? Many female turtles travel thousands of miles to lay their eggs on warm, tropical beaches. The female moves slowly up the beach and begins to dig a nest. After laying the eggs, she covers them with sand and returns to the ocean. The average sea turtle nest is about 30 inches deep and contains between 50-130 eggs, depending on the species. How do baby sea turtles survive on their own? About six to seven weeks later, the eggs are ready to hatch! Baby sea turtles use a special “egg tooth” to help them crack through the egg. It takes several days for the turtles to crawl out of the nest, and they usually wait until evening, when the sand is cooler, to fully emerge. They use the natural horizon light and reflection off the waves to guide them toward the water. Do sea turtles have predators? Turtle eggs are often eaten by birds, raccoons, and dogs, and more than 90% of hatchlings are snatched by seabirds, crabs, large fish, and other predators. Adult turtles have few natural predators, but they are sometimes eaten by sharks. Unfortunately, the biggest threat to sea turtles comes from humans. Why are sea turtles endangered? Human behavior has threatened sea turtle populations around the world. Many turtles are hunted for their meat, eggs, and shells (which people use for jewelry) or get tangled in huge fishing nets. Plastic bags are especially dangerous to turtles because they confuse them with jellyfish and eat the plastic by mistake! Additionally, turtle feeding grounds and nesting sites are impacted by climate change. ALL ABOUT Sea Turtles Help the Hatchlings In addition to natural predators, sea turtle hatchlings face a human-made threat. Light from cars, streetlights, and buildings distracts turtles from the natural moonlight that guides them to the water. As a result, many baby turtles scurry towards these lights, instead of toward the ocean. You can help by turning off lights along the beach during hatching season and using red or amber bulbs (which are less distracting) when necessary. Friendlier Fishing In most countries, it is illegal to fish or hunt turtles, but it still happens accidently. Many turtles are mistakenly caught as “bycatch” in fishing nets and traps. Some become so entangled that they die before they can be cut loose and released. You can help by researching and purchasing fish from responsible fishing industries. The Plastic Problem Most plastic in the oceans was not dumped there. Instead, it is swept from cities and towns into rivers, which carry it downstream into the ocean. Here are 3 ways you can help: 1. Choose plastic-free options 2. Collect plastic and garbage from beaches, parks, etc. 3. Recycle plastics when possible Turtleshell Trade Hawksbill turtles are hunted to make jewelry and other souvenirs for tourists. As a result, Hawksbill turtles became critically endangered, and it is now illegal to sell or trade items made from their shells. However, illegal trade is still happening worldwide. You can help by avoiding turtle shell (sometimes called “tortoiseshell”) products. Sea Turtle Emerge (verb) I think it means… Dictionary definition: VOCABULARY Directions: Find the vocabulary words that are underlined in the text and use context clues to predict what they mean. Then use a dictionary to find the definition of each word. Species (noun) Predator (noun) I think it means… Dictionary definition: I think it means… Dictionary definition: Habitat (noun) Bycatch (noun) I think it means… Dictionary definition: I think it means… Dictionary definition: Prey (noun) Endangered (adjective) I think it means… Dictionary definition: I think it means… Dictionary definition: Sea Turtle LIFE CYCLE © Classroom Content Corner Sea turtles that reach adulthood will live an average of 30-50 years. Some may live even longer! THINK ABOUT IT: At which stage is a sea turtle most vulnerable, and why? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sea Turtle Directions: Complete each pair of events by writing the missing cause or effect. Use the information from the sea turtle text CAUSE & EFFECT to help you! C AU S E EFFECT Baby turtles scurry toward houses, hotels, and streets along the beach. People hunt Hawksbill turtles to make turtle shell jewelry. Plastic from cities and towns collects in the ocean. Plastic bags float in the ocean. Fisherman use huge nets (called trawls) that extend deep into the ocean. Sea Turtle Directions: Sea turtles are perfectly adapted to life A D A PTAT I O N S in the ocean. Explain how each part of the sea turtle’s body helps it to survive! Explain this adaptation: Explain this adaptation: Lungs Shell Mouth Explain this adaptation: Feet Explain this adaptation: Flippers Explain this adaptation:  Animal Research Report All About _____________________ By: ____________________________ Green Turtle FACT FILE Basic Info Average weight: Average length: Physical features & characteristics: Habitat Fun Facts 1. 2. Food 3. 4. Threats/Status 5. Olive Ridley FACT FILE Basic Info Average weight: Average length: Physical features & characteristics: Habitat Fun Facts 1. 2. Food 3. 4. Threats/Status 5. Kemp’s Ridley FACT FILE Basic Info Average weight: Average length: Physical features & characteristics: Habitat Fun Facts 1. 2. Food 3. 4. Threats/Status 5. Leatherback FACT FILE Basic Info Average weight: Average length: Physical features & characteristics: Habitat Fun Facts 1. 2. Food 3. 4. Threats/Status 5. Loggerhead FACT FILE Basic Info Average weight: Average length: Physical features & characteristics: Habitat Fun Facts 1. 2. Food 3. 4. Threats/Status 5. Hawksbill FACT FILE Basic Info Average weight: Average length: Physical features & characteristics: Habitat Fun Facts 1. 2. Food 3. 4. Threats/Status 5. Flatback FACT FILE Basic Info Average weight: Average length: Physical features & characteristics: Habitat Fun Facts 1. 2. Food 3. 4. Threats/Status 5. Name: Date: Think Like a Conservationist! Color and label the sea turtle’s habitat on the map. Draw a picture of the animal’s natural habitat. Label the important features. © Classroom Content Corner  Name: Date: Think Like a Conservationist! What threats does this animal face? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Think like a conservationist! Why does this animal matter? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ What can we do to help protect this animal? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ © Classroom Content Corner Name: Date: Design a Conservation Logo You are starting a new conservation program to help protect the sea turtles. Design an eye-catching logo to represent your new program! Your logo should include: - A picture or symbol representing the animal - The name of the conservation program - Bright, eye-catching colors My Plan My Logo Animal: Program Name: Colors: © Classroom Content Corner Name: Date: Plan a Fundraiser! WHY Why are you planning this fundraiser? What is your motivation? GOAL How much money do you hope to raise? WHICH W H AT To which organization do you plan to What does this organization do? donate the money? Check out their website! WHERE HOW WHEN Where will you hold How will you raise the When will you hold the the fundraiser? money? fundraiser? © Classroom Content Corner Name: Date: Plan a Fundraiser! Supplies & Budget How will you advertise the fundraiser? Item to Buy Cost Total: How much will you ask people to Where will you advertise, donate per item or service? and to whom? Item/Service Amount Calculate how many donations you would need to meet your goal! © Classroom Content Corner Sea Turtle Can you find the latitude & longitude GEOGRAPHY coordinates for the sea turtles on this map? Latitude & Longitude 3 2 6 1 5 4 7 EXAMPLE: #1: Olive Ridley 20°S , 80°W #2 Green Turtle #3 Kemp’s Ridley #4 Leatherback _______________ , _______________ _______________ , _______________ _______________ , _______________ Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude #5 Hawksbill #6 Loggerhead #7 Flatback _______________ , _______________ _______________ , _______________ _______________ , _______________ Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude Baby Sea Turtle Upcycle Craft Template Supplies: Egg carton Cardboard Scissors or craft knife Green & brown paint Paintbrush Green pop-pom (optional) Googly eyes Glue Directions: 1. Cut out one section from the egg carton to form the turtle shell. Trim it down to remove excess material. This step may require adult assistance. 2. Using the template, trace and cut out the turtle fins and head from a piece of cardboard. 3. Paint the turtle shell and other pieces green. Use brown paint to create a design on the shell. 4. Once the paint is dry, use glue to assemble the turtle and attach the pom- pom (optional) and googly eyes. Allow time for the glue to dry. 5. Voila! You have a cute baby sea turtle! Reference Page Research for this product came from the following sources: http://www.seeturtles.org/sea-turtle-info https://conserveturtles.org/information-about-sea-turtles-their-habitats-and- threats-to-their-survival/ http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle http://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/sea-turtles/ https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/reptiles/sea-turtles _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Credits: The Painted Crow Clipartino L.E. Designs Hidesy’s Clipart 11percent Little Bunnies Designs A Sketchy Guy Artifex Sarah Pecorino Illustration Pixel Studio Kimberly Geswein Fonts _______________________________________________________________________________________ Terms of Use: Permission to copy for single classroom use only. All rights reserved by author. You may not claim this resource as your own, re-post it online, or share it with other teachers. If your colleagues are interested in this resource, please direct them to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Thank you!