The family of sea turtles, inhabitants of tropical seas, has 6 species. Conventionally, these reptiles can be divided into Pacific and Atlantic. But they differ little from each other, and the history of their life on Earth is similar.
Green sea turtle. general description
The largest species is the green turtle (photo below). Some giant individuals weigh about 450 kg, but usually their body weight is about 200 kg. The length of a low, rounded oval shell varies from 70 to 150 cm. The shell is covered with shields that cover each other and lie side by side. The forelimbs in the form of fins with one claw are indispensable for swimming. On a small head are large eyes. Carapax (the so-called dorsal part of the shell) can be olive-green or dark brown with yellowish spots, its color is unstable. The ventral part of the shell is yellowish or white.
The green sea turtle, unfortunately, is also called soup. It is for the sake of delicious meat and the famous turtle soup that destroy these animals. Turtle hunting continues everywhere. In places where the aquatic green turtle lives, its meat is eaten, and also fed to pigs. Crafts and souvenirs are made from shells. Even bone plates of not so high quality are used. Eggs are eaten fresh or added to confectionery. Therefore, even if turtle meat is not exported to the markets of large cities and other countries, many species of individuals are constantly under threat of complete extermination.
Breeding Sea Turtles
At the age of 10 years, turtles reach puberty. For mating, animals travel hundreds of miles across the ocean. They swim to their native places where they were born. Mating takes place at sea, a short distance from the coast.
After mating, the female on the shore digs a hole in the sand and lays from 100 to 200 eggs in it. The green sea turtle closes the masonry with sand, thereby protecting it from predators, direct sun and heat. Small turtles will emerge from eggs on day 40–72. An egg tooth will help them open the shell, which will disappear in the first hours or days of life.
Hatching, the turtles rush to get to the water, working their fins with all their might. Toddlers, unlike adults, are very agile. This is a decisive moment in the beginning of their life, since turtles are especially vulnerable to birds, snakes, rodents along this path. But in the sea they are also in danger - sharks, dolphins, predatory fish are not averse to feasting on the young of a sea turtle.
The device of the captive pool
Content is only possible in high-quality
sea water with a temperature between 22 and 26 ° C. Indeed, in nature, a green sea turtle lives in warm tropical seas and only for laying eggs goes to land. The size of the seawater pool must be large, as adult reptiles are large and they need a lot of space to swim. The optimal shape of the pool is round, its surface should be smooth, the silicone
joint seal is closed.
Good filtration, and in certain circumstances, and partial replacement of water to stabilize the pH value are required, due to the very intense metabolism of sea turtles. Cleaning the pool by sucking off food debris and waste should be regular. Before placing new individuals in the pool, they must be inspected.
Adult reptiles are herbivorous and feed on algae and grass, but at a young age, turtles eat animals such as crabs, sponges, jellyfish, worms and snails. When choosing a feeding diet for sea turtles, attention should be paid to the prevention of water pollution. So, it is not recommended to use too soft cod meat, fatty herring, lettuce. Shrimp, low-fat sea fish, seaweed or spinach are a good food for sea turtles.