Sea Turtles

Modern marine turtles belong to an ancient group of reptiles inhabiting the Earth for over 110 million years, since the Cretaceous. Marine turtles depend on both marine and terrestrial habitats for their growth and development, from high energy beaches to benthic reefs, and the open waters of the seas. All seven species of sea turtles are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2011). The threats facing sea turtles are many, both on land and at sea, including habitat loss, predation, and human exploitation. This book examines the ecology, behavior and conservation efforts of sea turtles.