The first fossil evidence of sea turtle ancestors dates to 150 - 200 million years ago. These turtles were much larger than today's turtles with the largest being the Archelon ( see figure to the left). The Archelon was 13 feet long with a wingspan of 16 feet! Sea turtles are much better adapted to life at sea than their land bound cousins the tortoises. Their shells are compressed and hydrodynamic while their feet are shaped more like flippers, making them very agile in the water. They have no teeth, but their beaks have modified jaw structures suitable for their specific food. Sea turtles have excellent underwater vision but are near sighted on land.
Sea turtles are found in all but the coldest oceans throughout the world. We are unable to determine a sea turtles age by its physical appearance, but scientists estimate they may live to be 100 years old. Sea turtles live a solitary life, never meeting or caring for their young and congregating only to mate.
All sea turtle species are currently listed as "endangered" by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service with the exception of the Loggerhead sea turtle which is listed as "threatened". Why are sea turtles facing extinction? Well, sea turtles have been exploited for food, leather, jewelry, souvenirs, oil, and eggs for centuries. Sailors in the 16th century used sea turtles to provision their ships since the turtles would stay alive for months without feeding. Since they take several years and possibly even decades to reach reproductive maturity, it takes a very long time for populations to recover from over harvesting.CONTINUE
