All About Turtles: Biology to Conservation

All About Turtles

Exploring biology, habitats, diversity, diet, threats, and conservation of sea turtles & tortoises.

The presentation agenda outlines five key topics on turtles: biology and physiology, habitats and species diversity, and diet and feeding habits. It concludes with conservation efforts, interesting facts, a visual showcase, and practical ways to help.

Presentation Agenda

1. Turtle Biology and Physiology

Anatomy, life cycle, and basic characteristics of sea turtles and tortoises.

2. Habitats and Species Diversity

Global habitats and the rich variety of turtle species.

3. Diet and Feeding Habits

What different turtles eat in their natural environments.

4. Conservation and Interesting Facts

Threats, protection efforts, and fascinating trivia about turtles.

5. Visual Showcase and How to Help

Stunning images and practical ways to support conservation. Source: Turtle Presentation

Turtles are ancient reptiles with hard shells for protection and are ectothermic, relying on their environment for warmth. They breathe air but can hold their breath underwater for 5+ hours and live 50-100+ years.

Turtle Biology

• Ancient reptiles with hard shells for protection
• Ectothermic: rely on environment for warmth
• Breathe air; hold breath 5+ hours underwater
• Lifespan: 50-100+ years

Sea turtles inhabit open oceans worldwide, migrating long distances between feeding grounds and nesting on natal beaches. Land tortoises occupy forests, grasslands, and deserts with burrows, while freshwater turtles live in rivers, ponds, lakes, and wetlands, basking on logs and banks.

Habitats

There are 356 turtle species worldwide, including 7 sea turtle species and over 50 tortoise species. Additionally, 25% of all turtle species are endangered.

Species Diversity

• 356: Species Worldwide

Total turtle species

• 7: Sea Turtle Species
• 50+: Tortoise Species
• 25%: Endangered Species

Of all turtle species

Omnivores consume algae, jellyfish, crabs, and plants, while sea turtles mainly eat jellyfish and seagrass, and tortoises feed on grasses, fruits, and vegetables. Diets vary by species and habitat.

Diet

• Omnivores eat algae, jellyfish, crabs, and plants.
• Sea turtles mainly consume jellyfish and seagrass.
• Tortoises feed on grasses, fruits, and vegetables.
• Diet varies by species and habitat.

The slide "Conservation Challenges" lists key threats to species, including habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and climate change, noting that 60% of species are threatened. It also highlights specific issues like bycatch in fishing nets and beach erosion impacting nesting sites.

Conservation Challenges

• Threats: habitat loss, poaching, pollution, climate change
• 60% of species threatened
• Bycatch in fishing nets
• Beach erosion affects nesting sites

Galápagos tortoises live over 150 years and use strong beaks instead of replaceable teeth. Turtles sense Earth's magnetic field for navigation and feel no pain in their shells.

Interesting Facts

• Galápagos tortoises live over 150 years.
• No new teeth—turtles have strong beaks!
• Sense Earth's magnetic field for navigation.
• Shells feel no pain.

The slide showcases green sea turtles gliding gracefully through vibrant coral reefs, propelled by powerful flippers and ocean currents. It emphasizes their agile swimming prowess and vital role in healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Sea Turtles in Action

!Image

• Green sea turtles glide gracefully through coral reefs.
• Powerful flippers propel them via ocean currents.
• Vibrant habitats highlight their agile swimming prowess.
• Vital for healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Source: Image from Wikipedia article "Green sea turtle"

Land tortoises have a sturdy build with domed shells for protection and inhabit grassy plains and dry islands. These ancient species live over 150 years and follow a herbivorous diet of grasses and leaves.

Land Tortoises

!Image

• Sturdy build and domed shells for protection.
• Inhabit grassy plains and dry islands.
• Ancient species living over 150 years.
• Herbivorous diet of grasses and leaves.

Source: Image from Wikipedia article "Aldabra giant tortoise"

This conclusion slide, titled "How to Help Protect Turtles," lists key actions like reducing plastic use, supporting marine protected areas, joining beach cleanups, donating to WWF/IUCN, and spreading awareness. Its subtitle urges immediate action: "Protect turtles today! Act now: reduce, cleanup, donate, and share."

How to Help Protect Turtles

• Reduce plastic use

• Support marine protected areas
• Join beach cleanups
• Donate to WWF/IUCN
• Spread awareness! 🐢💚

Protect turtles today! Act now: reduce, cleanup, donate, and share.