Why Only Female Sea Turtles Hatch from the Eggs?

May 23rd is World Turtle Day. It's a day designated by the American Tortoise Rescue in 2000. They designated this day to prevent the extinction of turtles. Among them, sea turtles are facing a severe extinction crisis.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) manages endangered species through the Red List and assigns them a level based on their risk of extinction. Sea turtles are categorized as Endangered (EN) on the list. Endangered species have a high probability of extinction in the near future.

The sea turtle population is declining. The main reason for their endangered status is climate change. Sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on beaches. However, human development in coastal areas has reduced the number of suitable nesting sites for them.

Sea turtles are fascinating creatures whose sex is determined by the temperature of the sand where their eggs are buried. However, rising global temperatures have led to a rise in sand temperature, resulting in a severe sex ratio imbalance with a disproportionately high number of female sea turtles. This imbalance can hinder successful reproduction, leading to a further decline in the sea turtle population.

Sea turtles often appear in articles about marine debris, highlighting their vulnerability to it. They are one of the most prominent marine animals affected by marine debris. Sea turtles rely on smell to find food. Plastic bags and other debris floating in the ocean can develop microorganisms, and sea turtles mistake the smell for food. A necropsy of 58 sea turtles in Korea revealed that 20% had died from consuming marine debris.

Sea turtles are already facing threats from climate change, yet they are also victims of overexploitation. Some people hunt them for meat, using it to make steaks or soups, and even sell their eggs for food. Hawksbill turtles, in particular, are targeted for their beautiful patterned shells, which are used to make jewelry, and their leather, which is used to make bags and shoes. As a result of overexploitation, Hawksbill turtles have been designated as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, indicating a rapid decline and a very high risk of extinction in the near future.

Sea turtles play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. They help regulate carbon dioxide in the ocean by grazing on seagrass. Some argue that their carbon regulation capabilities are even superior to forests. The extinction of sea turtles would severely impact the marine ecosystem.

To protect sea turtles and the ocean, the IUCN and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have collaborated to list all sea turtle species as endangered. As a result, relevant countries are actively involved in sea turtle conservation efforts. However, it is clear that more efforts are needed to safeguard these magnificent creatures.