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Turtles

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Submitted By AmitG
Words 752
Pages 4
Amit Gorajia
March 7, 2014
Our Diverse Biosphere
Essay 2

Adapt or Perish
Scientific studies show that the increase in temperature is responsible for roughly half of the total amount the sea level has risen in the past century. This raised concern for certain coastal regions that may have to endure more natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes. However, humans are not the only species that are affected by the increasing in temperature. One species that may be potentially affected greatly are sea turtles, species such as the loggerhead, leatherback, green turtles and a few others. Recent studies have shown that the increasing temperatures maybe threatening the stability of this ancient creature. Sea Turtles have been on Earth for roughly 240 million years, with fossils dating back to late Jurassic period (Neaq). Over a span of millions of years turtles have experienced serious environmental fluctuations, from the breaking up of PANGEA to major sea level rising of one hundred meters to the blistering cold Ice Ages (Neaq). The key to their survival lies in thier ability to continuously find a stabilized habitat to leave their eggs during incubation (Education-portal). Turtles commonly have a slow growth rate, this trait is an advantage for a turtle because over the years it becomes wiser learning how to adapt and cope with changes. During nesting season female turtles travel miles in search for a stabilized beach where weather conditions are ideal and safe from predators and human activities, ensuring the maximum potential for its hatchlings to make it to the ocean. Despite these efforts a hatchlings chances of surviving to maturity is one in every thousand sea turtles. For this reason turtles spawn hundreds of eggs at once in an effort to increase the chances of survival, however; turtles main traits such as their long lifespan, strong competitive

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