TURTLE

                                  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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