T
U R T L E S !
Our Treasure
CAN YOU RECOGNIZE THE TURTLES ?
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Marine Turtles are unique marine animals, categorized
as reptiles. There are 7 species of marine turtles in the world and 4 of these
species land and lay their eggs on Malaysian beaches.
However, their numbers have been
declining. As such effective measures need to be taken in dealing with this
problem to avoid these creatures from extinction.
T U R T L E S P E C I E S
The four species of
marine turtles found in Malaysia aree the Leatherback Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle,
Green Turtle and Olive Ridley Turtle.
LEATHERBACK TURTLE ( Dermochelys
coriacea )
·
The
Leatherback Turtle is the largest of all turtles in the world.
·
It
can reach to a length of 2m and can weigh up to 500 kg.
·
This
Turtle can be recognized by its distinctive carapace marked by seven
longitudinal ridges on its back, resembling a starfruit.
·
The
body has a dark coloration with white spots and has a deeply notched upper jaw
to help them capture jellyfish, their main food and other soft marine life.
·
Each
Turtle can lay between 60 – 120 eggs.
·
Their
eggs are round, with soft leathery shells and a diameter between 5.0 – 6.5 cm.
·
In
Malaysia, Leatherback Turtles are found only in the state of Terengganu and Pahang.
·
Their
nesting season is between May - August.
GREEN TURTLE ( Chelonia mydas )
·
The
Green Turtle is so called because of the presence of green fat in its body.
·
Even
then, its coloration is of dark brown.
·
It
has an average size of about 1.2 m in length and easily weigh around 270 kg.
·
It
is the only species that has a hook on both of its front swimming flippers.
·
They
feed mainly on sea grass and sea weeds.
·
The
nesting season is between April – September and each turtle can lay between 100
– 140 eggs per nesting.
·
Their
eggs are round, with soft leathery shells and a diameter of 5.0 cm.
·
It
can be found in most states except
Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Perlis.
HAWKSBILL TURTLE ( Eretmochelys imbricata )
·
The
Hawksbill Turtle is easily recognized by the overlapping arrangement of the
shell on its carapace.
·
This
Turtle has a mouth that resembles a hawk’s bill, thus the name.
·
Its
body length normally do not exceed more than 1 m and can weigh up to 75 kg.
·
The
Hawksbill Turtle feeds mainly on sponges and soft corals and is easily found in
the vicinity of coral reefs.
·
It’s
body has a brown coloration with pale spots and stripes.
·
The
nesting season is between March – June and can lay around 130 eggs per nesting.
·
Their
eggs are round with soft leathery shell and a diameter of 5.0 cm.
·
It
can be found in Terengganu, Melaka, Pahang, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.
OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE ( Lepidochelys olivacea )
·
The
Olive Ridley Turtle is the smallest among all turtle.
·
It
has an average size of 15 – 65 cm in length and weigh around 50 kg.
·
It’s body has a dark coloration as the olive
fruit.
·
It
feeds mainly on crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans.
·
The
nesting season is between March – June.
·
Each
turtle can lay up to around 100 eggs per nesting.
·
Their
eggs are round, with soft leathery shell and a diameter of 4.0 cm.
·
This
species can be found in the state of
Terengganu and Pahang.
STATISTICS OF TURTLE LANDINGS IN MALAYSIA
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAVE AND PROTECT
OUR MARINE TURTLES ?
1.
Do
not eat turtle eggs.
2.
Do
not destroy turtle’s natural habitat.
3.
Stop
using fishing nets that can harm or kill turtles.
4.
Prevent
oil pollution at sea.
5.
Do
not throw rubbish into the sea.
6.
Avoid
activities that can disturb turtles during landing and nesting periods.
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