Due to the obstacles of studying sea turtles in the open ocean, much is still unknown about their day-to-day behaviour. However, research so far has shown that in a typical day, sea turtles remain submerged where they feed and rest, and come to the surface for oxygen. Over time, they can migrate hundreds or even thousands of kilometres. Their front flippers propel them through the water like wings while their hind feet stabilise and steer them. Sea turtles are very solitary creatures and rarely interact with one another outside of courtship and mating. Male sea turtles spend their entire lives after hatching in the waters while females return to the beach during nesting. During nesting, interaction between females remain limited. Adult sea turtles can sleep both on the surface of deep water as well as on the seabed wedged in rocks and reefs in nearshore waters. Hatchlings typically sleep floating on the surface, and they usually have their front flippers folded back over the top of their backs.
Click on the following links to understand more about sea turtles and their behaviours.
There are eight species of sea turtles although scientists sometimes only refer to seven as the Black Sea Turtle (also known as the Pacific Green Sea Turtle) is often classified as the same or sub-species of the Green Sea Turtle (Atlantic). Click on the image links below to discover more about each sea turtle species.
Koru Honu 