Loggerhead Sea Turtle Facts

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Facts The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a marine sea turtle that gets its common name from its thick head, which resembles a log. Like other sea turtles, the loggerhead has a relatively lengthy life span- the species can live from 47 to 67 years in the wild. With the exception of the leatherback sea turtle, all sea turtles (including the loggerhead) belong to the family Chelondiidae. Loggerhead turtles sometimes breed and produce fertile hybrids with related species, such as the green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, and Kemps ridley sea turtle. Fast Facts: Loggerhead Turtle Scientific Name: Caretta carettaDistinguishing Features: Large sea turtle with yellow skin, reddish shell, and thick headAverage Size: 95 cm (35 in) long, weighing 135 kg (298 lb)Diet: OmnivorousLife Span: 47 to 67 years in the wildHabitat: Temperate and tropical oceans worldwideConservation Status: VulnerableKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: CheloniidaeFun Fact: The loggerhead turtle is the official state reptile of the state of South Carolina. Description The loggerhead sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled turtle in the world. The average adult is about 90 cm (35 in) long and weighs around 135 kg (298 lb). However, large specimens may reach 280 cm (110 in) and 450 kg (1000 lb). Hatchlings are brown or black, while adults have yellow or brown skin and reddish brown shells. Males and females look similar, but mature males have shorter plastrons (lower shells), longer claws, and thicker tails than females. Lachrymal glands behind each eye allow the turtle to excrete excess salt, giving the appearance of tears. Distribution Loggerhead turtles enjoy the largest distribution range of any sea turtle. They live in temperature and tropical seas, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Loggerheads live in coastal waters and the open sea. The females only come ashore to build nests and lay eggs. Loggerhead turtle distribution. NOAA Diet Loggerhead turtles are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates, fish, algae, plants, and hatchling turtles (including those of its own species). Loggerheads use pointed scales on their forelimbs to manipulate and tear food, which the turtle crushes with powerful jaws. As with other reptiles, a turtles digestive rate increases as temperature rises. At low temperatures, loggerheads cant digest food. Predators Many animals prey upon loggerhead turtles. Adults are eaten by killer whales, seals, and large sharks. Nesting females are hunted by dogs and sometimes humans. Females are also susceptible to mosquitoes and flesh flies. Juveniles are eaten by moray eels, fish, and portunid crabs. Eggs and nestlings are prey to snakes, birds, mammals (including humans), lizards, insects, crabs, and worms. Over 30 animal species and 37 types of algae live on the backs of loggerhead turtles. These creatures improve the turtles camouflage, but they have no other benefit to the turtles. In fact, they increase drag, slowing the turtles swimming speed. Many other parasites and several infectious diseases affect loggerheads. Significant parasites include trematode and nematode worms. Behavior Loggerhead sea turtles are most active during the day. They spend up to 85% of the day underwater and can stay submerged for up to 4 hours before surfacing for air. They are territorial, typically conflicting over foraging grounds. Female-female aggression is common, both in the wild and in captivity. While the maximum temperature for the turtles is unknown, they become stunned and start floating when the temperature drops to about 10  Ã‚ °C. Reproduction Loggerhead turtles reach sexual maturity between 17 and 33 years of age. Courtship and mating occur in the open ocean along migration routes. Females return to the beach where they themselves hatched in order to lay eggs in the sand. A female lays, on average, about 112 eggs, usually distributed between four clutches. Females only lay eggs every two or three years. Upon hatching, loggerhead turtles make their way to the sea.  ©fitopardo.com / Getty Images The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings. At 30  Ã‚ °C there is an equal ratio of male and females turtles. At higher temperatures, females are favored. At lower temperatures, males are favored. After about 80 days, hatchlings dig themselves out of the nest, usually at night, and head to the brighter surf. Once in the water, loggerhead turtles use magnetite in their brains and Earths magnetic field for navigation. Conservation Status The IUCN Red List classifies the loggerhead turtle as vulnerable. The size of the population is decreasing. Because of high mortality and slow reproductive rates, the outlook is not good for this species. Humans directly and indirectly threaten loggerheads and other sea turtles. Although worldwide legislation protects sea turtles, their meat and eggs are consumed where laws arent enforced. Many turtles die as bycatch or drown from entanglement in fishing lines and nets. Plastic poses a significant threat to loggerheads because the floating bags and sheets resemble jellyfish, a popular prey. Plastic can cause intestinal blockage, plus it releases toxic compounds that damage tissues, thin eggshells, or alter turtle behavior. Habitat destruction from human encroachment deprives turtles of nesting sites. Artificial lighting confuses hatchlings, interfering with their ability to find water. People who find hatchlings may be tempted to help them get to water, but this interference actually lowers their chance of survival, as it prevents them from building the strength needed to swim. Climate change is another cause for concern. Because temperature determines hatchling sex, rising temperatures may skew gender ratio in favor of females. In this respect, human development may aid turtles, as nests shaded by tall buildings are cooler and produce more males. Sources Casale, P. Tucker, A.D. (2017). Caretta caretta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2017: e.T3897A119333622. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T3897A119333622.enCommittee on Sea Turtle Conservation, National Research Council (1990). Decline of the Sea Turtles: Causes and Prevention. The National Academies Press. ISBN 0-309-04247-X.Dodd, Kenneth (May 1988). Synopsis of the Biological Data on the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (PDF). Biological Report. FAO Synopsis NMFS-149, United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 88 (14): 1–83.Caretta caretta (Linnaeus 1758)Janzen, Fredric J. (August 1994). Climate change and temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles (PDF). Population Biology. 91 (16): 7487–7490.Spotila, James R. (2004). Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press and Oakwood Arts. ISBN 0-8018-8007-6.

Is Making Friends After College a Struggle

Is Making Friends After College a Struggle Talk to the recently-graduated and you’ll soon discover that making friends after college can be difficult. There are many reasons for this, but, when examined, they all boil down to one inescapable factor: different goals. As much as you may beg to differ, college is a pretty homogenous environment. Before you go crying â€Å"Diversity,† allow us to explain. Regardless of the mix of race, culture, and a whole host of other variables, the general direction of everyone in your school is the same: graduation. This makes for a generally like-minded group of people; most choices are geared toward that ultimate goal. Life after college, though, is full of choices that lead you off in myriad directions never to return whence you came. In other words, you now have a number of goals on which you can focus: work (or not), marriage (or not), kids (or not). The list goes on and on. No longer are all the people around you striving for the same goal. Now, everyone has their own aim. What’s more, most of these goals are major life decisions that can isolate you socially from those who do not share your desire. If you’re single (or just married), have you ever tried to hang out with someone (or a couple) who has kids? Often times, it just doesn’t work. To help ease the process of making friends after college, you need to find places and activities where people share similar interests and goals. This is how you can meet people and cultivate friendships. Below are six ways to get your friend on. Take a Class It worked the first time around so why wouldn’t it work again? Continuing education courses are great places to make friends because, chances are, the people in those classes have the same interest you do. Use Your Pet And by pet, we mean ‘dog’. You can break the ice in the park when taking a walk. That cute thing your puppy did last week makes a great conversation starter and you can keep the talk going by discussing chew toys and food brands. Volunteer Do some work for a worthy cause – preferably something you’re interested in – and give your friend-making a boost at the same time. You’ll meet like-minded people who can become fast friends. Remember that the point of all of this is to meet new people (and work for a good cause, of course) who share your interests. If you’re really not interested in â€Å"Hats for the Homeless†, find somewhere else to volunteer. Both endeavors – friend-making and volunteering – will be good for you. Professional Organization After graduation, your career will become the next big focus of your time. And that’s fine. You can capitalize on your new-found drive to succeed by joining a professional organization associated with your line of work. You’ll be able to network with potential business interests and cultivate new friends at the same time. Make Old Friends Into New Ones This only works if you return to the area where you grew up or some old friends have moved to your area. Sure you may not have had that much in common in the old days but it’s been four years, hasn’t it? How much have you changed since graduating high school? Your friend has likely done the same. Go Digital Social networking (online) is everywhere these days so why not take advantage of it for something other than Twitter and Facebook? Sites like Groupon, Living Social, and Meetup are great ways to find experiences where you can meet new people. Groupon and Living Social can get you great deals on more than just clothing and coffee. Discounts abound for tours, athletic activities (where you can participate), wine tours, and classes. Meetup hosts everything from mixers to macramà © parties. Have fun and meet potential friends all at the same time. What could be better than that? Of course, finding people with similar interests and goals isn’t the end-all be-all solution to your problem (or any problem for that matter). A bit of diversity in life is a good thing. So don’t give up if making friends after college is a bit difficult. There are plenty of resources at your disposal to make the process just a bit more manageable. Take advantage of all the 21st century has to offer and you’ll be rolling in friends in no time.