Survival

These are some ways sea turtles survive and how you can help.
• A nice beach to nest on- Most sea turtles (with the exception of the Kemp’s ridley) nest at night, and always on the same beach where they were born. If a beach is crowded with lights, noise or debris, a mother sea turtle is less likely to nest there.

• The quickest route to the sea-When baby sea turtles hatch, they instinctively run for the bright horizon offshore. But bright lights from roads, buildings and even flashlights can confuse hatchlings, causing them to run in the wrong direction.

• A safe place to grow up-Once they’ve made it to the ocean, many young sea turtles rely on floating seaweed mats, called sargassum, to hide from predators. Sargassum is not just a nursery for little sea turtles—young fish also find safe haven here.

• Lots of food to eat-The leatherback sea turtle’s favorite food is jellyfish. But a floating, clear plastic bag can look an awful lot like a jellyfish dinner. When sea turtles consume marine debris by mistake, it can get stuck in their stomachs and cause major damage. Reducing the amount of trash in the ocean means turtles can steer clear of plastic and stick to the jellyfish meals they love.

• Your help- Don't pollute the ocean and keep recycling so the population of sea turtles will increase and not decrease. You can also help by cleaning up the ocean and picking up trash

• Sea turtles have other adaptations to help them survive. They have long, paddle-like flippers that hatchlings use to propel themselves through the water as quickly as possible. Their back two flippers act as rudders and help the turtles steer.