A great season for sea turtle nests in North Carolina. The state had over 90 nests laid, compared to 20 years ago when 10-15 nests were a big deal. According to North Carolina Wildlife, this year the green sea turtles had a great turn out for nests, with more than 90 being laid, creating a new record.
"Twenty years ago, it was a exciting to see 10-15 nests in a single season," said an expert from CCA North Carolina.
North Carolina shores are home to hundreds of sea turtles each year, providing nesting grounds for female turtles. These females return every few years to lay their eggs, with each nest containing about 100 eggs. The survival rate for the hatchlings is low, with only 1 in 10 known to survive.
The diet of sea turtles changes throughout their lifetime. They start off eating worms and smaller aquatic insects, but as they grow, they move towards sea grasses and algae. The Green Sea Turtle is the only species that is herbivorous as an adult. They can be found in three out of the five oceans, primarily in the tropical regions.
Despite their name, green sea turtles are actually predominantly brown. They get their name from the green fat found inside their bodies. The hatchlings of these turtles are close to black in color. Green sea turtles can grow up to 36-48 inches and weigh up to 450 pounds. The species is threatened by fishermen and aquatic hunting companies in their habitat.
While organizations work to protect and conserve these turtles, hunting for them has unfortunately become more popular.
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