What is famous for the green sea turtle?

The family of sea turtles, inhabitants of tropical seas, has 6 species. Conditionally these reptiles can be divided into Pacific and Atlantic. But they differ from each other a little, and the history of their life on Earth is similar.

Green sea turtle. general description

The largest species is the green turtle (photo below). Some giant specimens weigh about 450 kg, but, as a rule, their body weight is about 200 kg. The length of the low, rounded-oval shell varies from 70 to 150 cm. The shell is covered with shields covering each other and lying side by side. The forelimbs in the form of fins with one claw are indispensable for swimming. On the small head are large eyes. Carapace (the so-called dorsal part of the shell) can be olive green or dark brown with yellowish spots, its color is unstable. Abdominal part of carapace yellowish or white.

The green sea turtle, unfortunately, is also called the soup. It is for the sake of delicious meat and the famous tortoise soup that these animals are destroyed. Hunting for turtles continues everywhere. In places where the watery green turtle dwells, its meat is used for food, and also fed to pigs. Crafts and souvenirs are made from shells. In the course are even bone plates of not so high quality. Eggs are eaten fresh or added to confectionery. Therefore, even if turtle meat is not exported to the markets of large cities and to other countries, many species of individuals are constantly under threat of complete extermination.

Reproduction of sea turtles

At the age of 10, turtles reach puberty. For mating, animals travel hundreds of miles across the ocean. They sail to their native places where they were born. Mating occurs in the sea, at a short distance from the shore.

After pairing the female on the shore digs a hole in the sand and lays in it from 100 to 200 eggs. Laying the green sea turtle covers with sand, thereby protecting against predators, direct sun and heat. Small turtles will appear from eggs for 40-72 days. The egg tooth, which will disappear in the first hours or days of life, will help them to open the shell.

After hatching, the tortoises hurry to get to the water, working with their fins with all their might. Kids, unlike adults, are very agile. This is the decisive moment of the beginning of their life, because on this path the turtles are especially vulnerable to birds, snakes, rodents. But in the sea they are also trapped by danger - sharks, dolphins, predatory fish are not averse to enjoying the young sea turtle.

Arrangement of a basin for keeping in captivity

The content is only possible in high-quality sea water with a temperature between 22 and 26 ° C. Indeed, in nature, a green sea turtle lives in warm tropical seas and only leaves for laying eggs. The size of the pool with sea water must necessarily be large, as adult reptiles are large in size and need a lot of space for swimming. The optimal shape of the pool is round, its surface should be smooth, the silicone seal of the seams is closed.

Good filtration, and in certain circumstances, partial replacement of water to stabilize the pH value are mandatory, due to the very intensive metabolism of sea turtles. Cleaning the pool by aspiration of food residues and waste products should be regular. Before placing new specimens in the pool, they must be examined.

Adult reptiles are herbivorous and feed on algae and grass, but at a young age turtles eat such animals as crabs, sponges, jellyfish, worms and snails. When choosing a feeding diet for sea turtles, attention should be paid to the prevention of water pollution. So, it is not recommended to use too soft cod meat, fat herring, lettuce leaves. Shrimp, lean sea fish, algae or spinach - is a suitable food for sea turtles.