The Flatback Sea Turtle | Conservation
The Flatback sea turtle is unique from other turtle specie mainly because of its Flatback, which is not found in other turtles. It has a carapace which is oval in shape and usually grayish green in color. An adult turtle would have a weight of approximately 90 kilogram. It would be of 100 centimeters long. On the head is a pair of its prefrontal scales. These turtles have soft shells, just like the leather back turtles.
Although the adult turtles have a grayish yellow or grayish green color, the newborns are more inclined towards the grey color. They have black outlines on the grey carapace. Initially this turtle was known to have a link with the green sea turtle, but later studies showed that it had no link with it. Both are different species.
These turtles are found to live in the coastal areas of Australia and Indonesia. The main food of these turtles is found to be sea cucumbers. According to some researches, these turtles have their nesting periods four times every year. Heir nesting periods last for around 13 to 18 days, which may vary. Strangely, these turtles lay the biggest eggs, as compared to the eggs of other sea turtles. An average egg of a Flatback turtle would be of the size of a large egg of the leatherback turtle. They lay abundant eggs at one time, say around fifty eggs, but unfortunately, only a few survive as they become he food of other creatures. It is said that the turtles have their nesting seasons from February to October, however there are some places in the north western part of Australia where they nest all year round.
Unfortunately, a number of predators eat away the eggs or the turtles after they get hatched. One of their most common predators is crocodile. They have their senses to track the nesting areas of these turtles and eat them. Thus, only a very few of them grow up to their full age. Along with that, there are a number of other factors as well that limit their growth and thus, this specie is going towards extinction. The acts of predators, along with a number of human activities that have destroyed their nesting grounds, or use them for their meat have resulted in this. It is thus, important that care should be taken to protect these turtles, and prevent them from getting extinct.
It is sad to know that a number of Flatback sea turtles are getting endangered, because of the lack of concern to protect them. The human indulgence in everything, has led to the creatures losing their habitats. A number of human activities have badly affected the growth of the Flatback, that are near to extinction. Just like other marine creatures, this sea turtle is also caught into the nets, and result in the soups enjoyed by humans.
One particular thing that needs attention is that the breeding grounds of turtles are getting less. The development made by humans, throwing garbage at the beaches, the lightning; all are a source of misguiding the turtles, taking them to the wrong way, resulting in their death. In fact, a number of female turtles are discouraged about nesting.
Along with that, another common problem for all the marine turtles is the rubbish that is thrown in waters. Oil and plastic are a source of the death of lots of sea turtles. Lots of Flatback sea turtles get trapped in the plastic shopper, thrown in the waters, and die. A number of turtles also get caught in the nets that are sent for catching fishes. To escape from such nets, they make attempts which lead them to drown. Humans kills them purposely as, in a number of countries, turtle soup is enjoyed as one of the delicious sea foods. Their shells are used for a number of purposes like decorations etc.
Nowadays, awareness has been brought to show the importance of these species and to protect them. Measures are being taken to protect these Flatback sea turtles, to protect them from facing the fate of extinction. A number of tourists resorts that were the nesting grounds for turtles, have been closed, to allow the turtles to lay their eggs in full safety. Measures are being taken to protect them from being eaten away by predators. Catching them for meat has also been reduced. Despite of all these measures, these turtles are dwindling in number. This is because accidental killing of them is still going on.