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Sea Turtle Research Paper

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Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles, over 100 million years swimming in their oceans. Even predating many dinosaurs. “The turtle is an important symbol in the mythologies of many indigenous cultures, usually representing creation, longevity and wisdom in these belief systems. Turtles are thus truly ancient beings-both in geological and mythological terms. As integral parts of the marine ecosystems, turtles are also useful indicators of the vitality of the overall marine environment (Travel-Hawaii .com 2017).” The spectacular Green Turtle inhabits the warm salt waters off the coast of Oahu, and allowed me to visit their home reef. This majestic sea creature’s life span is relatively unknown. Sea turtles reach a peak maturity age …show more content…
My heart was a pitter patter when we reached our destination.

Sitting on the swim board, putting on my snorkel and fins, I submerged into the relaxing Hawaiian ocean and made my way over to the reef. I was not prepared for this visual pleasure. What beautiful reptiles…now I truly saw their size, strength, calm, and why they are the, green turtle.

They were below me, and above me, and swimming 5 feet away next to me. I felt like I was in the movie “Finding Nemo”, it was fabulous. Their sizes varied from what appeared to be 3 feet across on the backs of their shells to over 6 feet. Floating alongside my new green friend, (let’s call him Ralph), my mind felt relaxed, tranquil, and the worries of day to day life faded away. Even though I was not allowed to touch Ralph, I felt I bonded with him, I felt he would not hurt me, that he knew I was his friend.

Ralph, what a great name for this creature. He looked aged in years with his leather skin that wrinkled in all the right places. His shell, had chips and mars, and possibly old battle scars. He gracefully moved through the water, with a wisdom that only the sea could have given

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