Sea Turtle Released Back Into The Wild

courtesy of Serge Melki

Sea turtles are turtles found in all the world’s oceans except the Arctic Ocean. There are seven living species of sea turtles: flatback, green sea turtle, hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley.

Although they have been around for tens of millions of years since the Mesozoic, the body plan of sea turtles has remained relatively constant. Sea turtles possess dorsoventrally-flattened bodies with two hind legs and highly-evolved paddle-like front arms.Sea turtles are one of the only reptiles with a hard shell.Their shells are made of solid bone covered by large, thin scales, and they protect the whole of the animal’s body with the exception of the head, legs and tail. However, to make up for that vulnerability, they have the ability to pull their heads inside their shells when threatened.

Hugh wrote about an endangered sea turtle released back into the wild.

The turtle which was rescued from the San Gabriel River sported numerous injuries that were treated by Aquarium Veterinarian Dr. Lance Adams.  I was fortunate enough to help the Aquarium’s Vet Tech Colleen handle the turtle as it was being treated. The turtle had some serious looking wounds that were patched up nicely by Dr. Adams.