Sea Turtles: 7 Species and Their Secret Lives
There are seven species of sea turtle, and each one lives differently: leatherbacks dive to about 1.3 kilometres, loggerheads cross the Pacific as babies, and flatbacks never leave the coast of northern Australia. Scientists also treat turtles as living mirrors of ocean health.
What are the seven sea turtle species?
The seven species are the leatherback, flatback, green, loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley and Kemp’s ridley. Each has its own speciality. Leatherbacks dive deeper than any other reptile, down to about 1.3 km, and can stay underwater for up to 90 minutes. Loggerheads have super-strong jaws for crushing crabs and clams and can weigh up to 200 kg. Hawksbills use sharp, pointed beaks to pick sponges from coral reefs, and green turtles graze on seagrass like underwater lawnmowers.
Key facts
- There are seven species of sea turtle.
- Leatherbacks dive to about 1.3 km and can stay underwater for up to 90 minutes.
- A loggerhead can weigh up to 200 kg, as much as three adult humans.
Why do turtles eat plastic?
Jellyfish are a favourite food for sea turtles, and floating plastic looks like a jellyfish. It smells like one too: algae quickly grow on plastic drifting in the sea, so it smells like food. Turtles have backwards-facing spines in their throats that help keep food in, but the same spines trap plastic inside. In one turtle, 205 pieces of rubbish were found.
Where can I read the full story?
This is a short version of “Into the Deep Blue: Secret Lives of Sea Turtles” from OYLA Junior #11. The full article in OYLA Junior introduces every species in detail and lets you see each turtle in augmented reality by scanning a QR code.
Read next
What Is Onomatopoeia? Words That Sound Like Noises
Onomatopoeia is the name for words that sound like the noise they describe, such as buzz, roar, boom…
Greetings Around the World: How Do People Say Hello?
People in every culture greet each other before they start talking, but they do it in very different…
How Did People Send Messages Before Phones?
Before phones, people sent messages with smoke signals, beacon fires and talking drums, then with couriers, horses, pigeons…
3D Bioprinting: How Do Scientists Print Living Tissue?
A 3D bioprinter builds tiny body parts and mini-organs from real human cells instead of plastic. It places…
Science like this, every month
OYLA Junior is a printed science magazine for curious kids and their parents, delivered to your door across India.
Made for ages 8+
Simple language, stories, comics and activities for young readers.
12 issues a year
A new printed issue every month, delivered to your door.
Free OYLA Workbook
Hands-on activities that turn reading into doing.
Trusted by 150,000+ readers
Loved by families and used in 1,500+ schools.
Keep asking "why?" with OYLA Junior
Every issue answers the questions kids ask about the world. Start your child's science journey today.