Fun Facts
Want to learn about sea turtles?
DID YOU KNOW…
Sea Turtles are super old!
Sea turtles have been on Earth for over 100 million years—they outlived the dinosaurs. Every sea turtle can live to be over 100 years old.
Sea turtles don’t have teeth!
Instead, they use a beak-like mouth made of keratin (the same material as human fingernails).
Baby turtles are called hatchlings!
After about 60 days, hatchlings dig out of their sandy nests and make their way to the ocean. They are independent from birth and start swimming right away!
Turtles hold their breath for a really long time!
Even though they live in the ocean, sea turtles are reptiles—they breathe air and must come to the surface. Sea turtles can hold their breath for hours when resting underwater.
Meet The Turtles - 7 Species
Did you know there are 7 different kinds of sea turtles?
Each one is unique—from the giant leatherback to the tiny Kemp’s ridley.
Want to discover what makes them special? Dive into our “Meet the Turtles” section and learn fun facts about all seven species!
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The flatback turtle is the only sea turtle that lives just around Australia. Its shell is flatter than other turtles—like a pancake on its back! That’s how it got its name.
Flatbacks love warm, shallow waters and eat all kinds of tasty treats like jellyfish, sea cucumbers, soft corals, and even shrimp.
Unlike other sea turtles that travel across whole oceans, flatbacks like to stay close to home. They don’t wander too far!
Flatbacks are rare—you won’t see them anywhere else in the world except near Australia, which makes them extra special.
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The green turtle is one of the largest sea turtles in the world—and it gets its name not from its shell, but from the green inside its body!
Green turtles are ocean vegetarians. They love to munch on seagrass and algae, which helps keep the ocean nice and healthy (like mowing the lawn under the sea!).
These gentle giants can live to be 80 years old or more, and they’re found in warm, tropical oceans all around the world.
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The loggerhead turtle gets its name from its big head and super-strong jaws. Those powerful jaws help them eat hard snacks like crabs, clams, and conchs.
Loggerheads are world travelers. They can swim across entire oceans!
These turtles are usually reddish-brown in color, and they’re one of the most common sea turtles spotted by divers.
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The hawksbill turtle has a sharp, pointy beak that looks like a hawk’s beak—that’s how it got its name!
This special beak lets hawksbills reach into tiny cracks in coral reefs to eat their favorite food: sponges. By munching on sponges, hawksbills help keep coral reefs healthy and full of life.
Hawksbills are also known for their beautiful shells, which shine with patterns of gold, brown, and amber. description
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The Kemp’s ridley turtle is the smallest sea turtle in the world—but don’t let its size fool you!
These little turtles are famous for their amazing “arribadas” (that means “arrival” in Spanish). During an arribada, thousands of Kemp’s ridleys crawl onto the beach at the same time to lay their eggs. It looks like a turtle parade!
Kemp’s ridleys love eating crabs the most, but they’ll also snack on clams, shrimp, and jellyfish.
Sadly, they are also the most endangered sea turtle, so protecting their nesting beaches and keeping the ocean clean is super important to help them survive.
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The leatherback turtle is the biggest sea turtle in the world—it can grow as long as a small car and weigh as much as a horse!
Unlike other turtles, its shell isn’t hard. Instead, it’s soft and rubbery, like leather—that’s how it got its name.
Leatherbacks are deep-sea champions. They can dive over 1,000 meters down (that’s deeper than the tallest skyscraper)!
their favourite food is jellyfish!
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The olive ridley turtle gets its name from its olive-green shell—it’s smaller than most sea turtles but still full of adventure!
Olive ridleys are also famous for their incredible group nestings. Found in tropical oceans all around the world.
They aren’t picky eaters—they’ll munch on jellyfish, shrimp, crabs, clams, and even algae.
Today, turtles face many challenges, from pollution and plastic waste to boat traffic and fishing nets. The more we learn about them, the more we can do to keep them safe.
Here are some ways you can help!
Recycle and reuse — Less trash means a cleaner ocean for turtles.
Don’t release balloons outside — Balloons often end up in the sea, where turtles mistake them for food.
Put beach toys away — Buckets, shovels, and chairs can block nesting turtles or trap hatchlings.
Knock down sandcastles and fill holes before you leave the beach — These can be obstacles for tiny turtles trying to reach the water.
Support turtle groups — Join or donate to organizations that rescue and protect sea turtles.
Be a turtle teacher — Share what you’ve learned with friends and family so more people can help.
Protecting The Turtles
Where To Learn More
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center. This awesome facility educates us about sea turtles and rehabilitates turtles that have been injured. This facility is open to the public and accepts donations.
The Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. This facility rescues injured turtles, provides them with the medical help they need to get better, then releases them back into their own habitat.