Marine Reptiles. Classification Class Reptilia Order Chelonia Sea turtles Order Squamata Sea snakes, marine iguana Order Crocodilia Saltwater.

Marine ReptilesMarine Reptiles

ClassificationClassificationClass ReptiliaClass Reptilia

Order CheloniaOrder Chelonia Sea turtlesSea turtles

Order SquamataOrder Squamata Sea snakes, marine Sea snakes, marine

iguanaiguana

Order CrocodiliaOrder Crocodilia Saltwater crocodileSaltwater crocodile

Sea Turtle CharacteristicsSea Turtle Characteristics

Cold-bloodedCold-blooded Strong biting jawsStrong biting jaws Carapace fused with the Carapace fused with the

backbonebackbone Cannot retract heads into Cannot retract heads into

the shellthe shell Salt glandSalt gland Return to land to reproduceReturn to land to reproduce

4 Hawaii Species4 Hawaii Species

LoggerheadLoggerhead LeatherbackLeatherback HawksbillHawksbill Green Sea TurtleGreen Sea Turtle

LoggerheadLoggerhead

LargeLarge Wide headWide head Stout neckStout neck Rarely seen in HawaiiRarely seen in Hawaii

LeatherbackLeatherback Largest, 6 ft., 500-Largest, 6 ft., 500-

1000 lbs1000 lbs Black with white spotsBlack with white spots Only species that Only species that

lacks a hard shelllacks a hard shell Leathery ridged Leathery ridged

carapacecarapace Rarely seen on shoreRarely seen on shore Feeds on jellyfishFeeds on jellyfish

HawksbillHawksbill

Long pointy beakLong pointy beak Less than 3 feet longLess than 3 feet long Used by Hawaiians Used by Hawaiians

for tools, jewelry, for tools, jewelry, hookshooks

Feeds on spongesFeeds on sponges

Green Sea TurtleGreen Sea Turtle Green body fatGreen body fat Herbivores (adult), Herbivores (adult),

carnivores (juv)carnivores (juv) Up to 500 lbsUp to 500 lbs 10-50 years to reach 10-50 years to reach

sexual maturitysexual maturity Males (long thick Males (long thick

tails), females (short tails), females (short stubby)stubby)

Life Cycle and Migration Life Cycle and Migration Migrate to French Frigate Migrate to French Frigate

Shoals (males annually, Shoals (males annually, female 1-2 years)female 1-2 years)

Mating in waters off shoreMating in waters off shore (1 month) Female comes to (1 month) Female comes to

shore for egg laying – 100 shore for egg laying – 100 eggs in “clutch”eggs in “clutch”

Leave nestLeave nest (2 months) eggs start to (2 months) eggs start to

hatchhatch Head to seaHead to sea

Human ImpactHuman Impact

Fishing linesFishing lines Unattended fishing Unattended fishing

netsnets Debris/pollution, oil Debris/pollution, oil

spillsspills Boat collisionsBoat collisions Illegal poachingIllegal poaching Artificial LightingArtificial Lighting

EducationEducation Enforcements of ESAEnforcements of ESA Protected areas Protected areas

(NWHI)(NWHI) Research, taggingResearch, tagging (TED) Turtle (TED) Turtle

Exclusion DevicesExclusion Devices

Legislation that Protects Legislation that Protects TurtlesTurtles

Protected under Federal and State Protected under Federal and State LawLaw Stay 20 feet away!Stay 20 feet away!

Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act Riding a sea turtle is illegalRiding a sea turtle is illegal

Fines up to $100,000 and/or prisonFines up to $100,000 and/or prison

International trade of sea turtle International trade of sea turtle parts is illegalparts is illegal Bringing protects into USA - $20,000 Bringing protects into USA - $20,000

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