My favourite animal.

My Favourite Animal

Author : Hemakshi rajendra

My favourite animal is a sea turtle. Sea turtles are characterized by a large, streamlined shell and non-retractile head and limbs. Unlike other turtles, sea turtles cannot pull their limbs and head inside their shells. Their limbs are flippers that are adapted for swimming, so they are vulnerable while on land.
There are different spices of sea turtles. Almost all the species of turtles are carnivores. Sea turtles spend the bulk of their lives in the ocean. However, they periodically come ashore to either bask or nest. Sea turtles can be found in all oceans except for the polar regions. They are known for their migratory patterns. Leatherback sea turtles are one of the most migratory, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Pacific leatherbacks migrate from nesting beaches in the Coral Triangle all the way to the California coast. Few sea turtles survive to adulthood. Sea turtles’ natural lifespan is estimated to be 50 to 100 years.

Over the last 200 years, human activities have caused a significant decline in sea turtles. Sea turtles are desired for their eggs, meat, skin and shells, so poaching and over-exploitation are a major threat to sea turtles.

Habitat destruction is another major threat. Many nesting beaches have been overcome with human activity. Artificial lights from nearby homes likely impact the hatching’s ability to make it safely to the ocean. Human waste, such as plastic, on both the beaches and in the ocean, is also harming the species.Accidental capture in fishing gear, known as bycatch, is another major threat. Climate change also has an impact on sea turtles
Hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley are listed as Critically Endangered, and green turtles are listed as Endangered. Leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley turtles are classified as Vulnerable. There is not enough data to classify flatback sea turtles. Conservation groups are working to protect sea turtles. Among these groups is WWF, which is working around the world to eliminate sea turtle bycatch from fisheries, reduce the unsustainable harvest and illegal trade in sea turtles, and stem the loss of critical sea turtle habitats. WWF believes that many of these objectives are achieved by establishing and strengthening protected areas around nesting beaches, raising awareness and promoting ecotourism, lobbying for turtle-friendly fishing practices, and more.
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