Did you know? Sea turtles are disappearing!

Sea turtles are ancient creatures that have been part of Thailand seas for a long time and are crucial to our ecosystem. They are now facing a severe extinction crisis due to human activities such as hunting, pollution, and the loss of nesting sites.

Sea turtles are cold-blooded reptiles with a backbone that use their lungs to breathe. They spend most of their lives in the ocean but come ashore only to lay eggs. They can lay up to 150 eggs at a time, burying them in the sand. What’s fascinating is that they often return to the same nesting site, no matter how far or long it has been since their last visit.

How many species of sea turtles are there?

There are a total of 7 species, and they belong to 2 main families: Cheloniidae (hard-shelled) and Dermochelyidae (soft-shelled). In Thailand, you can find up to 5 species, which are:

Cheloniidae

Hawksbill Turtle
- It has a beautifully patterned shell that resembles a seashell. Its curved beak is used to feed on sea sponges.
- It can be found in Thailand and tropical waters.
Green Turtle
- It has a greenish-brown shell and prefers to eat marine plants such as seagrass.
- It is commonly found in Thai waters.
Longgerhead Turtle
- It has a large head and strong beak, suitable for crushing shells, shrimp, and crabs.
- It can be found in Thailand and oceans around the world.
Olive Ridley Turtle
- It is the smallest species of sea turtle, with a greenish-gray shell.
- It prefers to live in tropical oceans and can also be found in Thailand.
Kemp’s Ridley Turtle
- It has a light gray to green shell with patterns that resemble scars.
- It can be found in tropical and temperate regions, such as the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Flatback Turtle
- It has a flat shell with a yellowish-brown color.
- It can be found in the waters of Australia.

Dermochelyidae

Leatherback Turtle
- It is the largest species of turtle in the world and can dive the deepest. Its shell does not have scales but instead has rough, rubber-like skin.
- In Thailand, it can also be found and is registered as a protected species.

Which species are endangered?

Most of them are close to extinction and have been classified in terms of their risk status by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as follows:

Leatherback Turtle
- Currently, it is in a critically endangered status.
- This is due to plastic waste consumption and fishing with human-made tools.
Hawksbill Turtle
- Currently, it is in a critically endangered status.
- This is due to being hunted for their shells to make jewelry and the loss of their habitats.
Green Turtle
- Currently, it is in a critically endangered status.
- This is due to being hunted for their meat and eggs.
Olive Ridley Turtle
- Currently, it is in a critically endangered status.
- This is due to getting caught in fishing gear, such as nets, and changes in coastal environments.
Longgerhead Turtle
- Currently, it is in a critically endangered status.
- This is due to the decreasing nesting sites and frequent entanglement in fishing gear.
Flatback Turtle
- Currently, it is classified as “Data Deficient” due to a lack of clear information on its population numbers.
- However, it is currently observed that the risk of extinction is decreasing in the future.

How can we ensure that turtles stay with us for a long time?

Now that we know the reasons and problems causing turtles to be on the brink of extinction, we should take action together to help preserve and protect them so that turtles can stay with us for a long time.

Do not litter plastic or dispose of it in the sea or on the beach.
Help collect trash on the shoreline.
Choose environmentally friendly products.
Do not support products made from turtles.
Do not disturb turtles during their nesting period.

While they are on the brink of extinction, if we all work together to conserve and protect sea turtles, they can certainly recover and increase in number in the oceans. You too can be a part of their conservation!

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