Experimental Research Uses Treadmills To Determine Disorientation Effects On Sea Turtle Hatchlings
It has long been known that excess lighting on near beaches has an extremely detrimental effect on sea turtle hatchlings attempting to make the trek back to their ocean home. Researchers have determined that this causes major disorientation in the turtles and subsequently causes them to expend massive amounts of unnecessary energy, thus drastically reducing their survival rate. Researchers from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at the Florida Atlantic University recently performed an intriguing study utilizing underwater treadmills to measure the level of exertion in Caretta caretta hatchlings during their hurried scramble from the nest to the waves. The data collected included oxygen and lactate levels as well as breathing and stroke measurements. Comparing wild hatchlings to their treadmill subjected counterparts, the scientists revealed shocking results. The eye-opening data proved that as a result of the turtles’ method of travel, they were not actually expending energy that would be detrimental to their survival in the ocean. They discovered that the hatchlings utilized rest periods in order to make it to the ocean with sufficient remaining energy to survive. Although the results of the study proved that the energy expended is not unfavorable, they did report that the extended time taken to travel back to the water creates a vulnerable situation for the delicate animals, as predation and other dangers are imminent as long as they remain on land. This further stresses and provides proof of the need to completely restrict lighting on beaches in order to increase the survival rate of these endangered ocean creatures.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
ZA: Pingback received from successful Caretta caretta release
India: Sea turtles perform acrobatic feats in order to nest
USA: USFW implements conservation program for Gopherus agassizii
AU: Decapitated turtle a shocking discovery
Asia: Incredibly rare tortoises now reside in safe quarters
Crime & Punishment
Asia: Turtle abuser released with bail
Ecology
AU: Sea turtle discovered entangled in party debris
AU: Fishing debris causing massive issues for sea turtles
Health & Medical
India: Multilated Lepidochelys olivacea rescued
USA: Unexplained deceased sea turtles a perplexing issue
Miscellany
USA: Unexpected donation for renovated turtle tank
UK: Looking out of the box for a new pet? Look no further.
USA: Bonfire of monstrous wooden turtle an annual tradition
Did You Know…
Stranded sea turtle hatchlings are most often discovered in washed up sargassum, which is a type of brown seaweed. Most people don’t find stranded hatchlings because they neglect to check the clumps of sargassum.
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Photo from Florida Atlantic University.
