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How do Baby Sea Turtles Find Their Way?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

For humans, and many mammals, having babies is just the beginning of the job. Raising the babies comes next, and humans reasonably expect at least 18 years of parenting — helping children learn to navigate the world and hopefully to learn independence. For many reptiles, including sea turtles, once the eggs are laid, and appropriately covered, the job is done. Mother sea turtles leave babies to fend for themselves, and to find their way on some of the longest migrations needed for survival. This is nature at its most primal and stunning; how can baby sea turtles find their way to migrate as much as 8000 miles (12,874.75km) when they’re just been born?

An interesting study on Loggerhead turtles in the 1990s suggests that baby sea turtles may be able to sense magnetic fields of the earth, helping to guide them toward the Atlantic and back in this 8000 mile swim that Loggerheads take yearly. There’s also suggestion that some turtles may be born without this sense, because not all turtles make it. If they slip into colder waters they get lost and become ready prey for other marine animals.

Frog
Frog

Many do survive and are said to be born with an internal compass, knowing instinctively from magnetic fields exactly where to go. Similar studies have been performed on leatherback turtles. These show that the baby sea turtles are intensely sensitive to magnetic energy, allowing them not only to make their first migration, but also usually to return to the beach on which they were born, called the natal beach.

Another study on baby sea turtles, especially the green turtles of Hawaii, who have an 800-mile (1287.48km) yearly migration, evaluates how the turtles find their way from nest to ocean. They appear to be guided by light, and the babies in concert, after digging themselves out of the nest, make way for the brightest horizon. Artificial lights on beaches can mean quick death for these intrepid survivors; those baby turtles born on beaches with artificial lights have very little chance of survival.

Baby sea turtles are not the only animals that can sense some aspect of earth that humans can’t. Butterflies can see ultraviolet light, and rattlesnakes can see or sense infrared wavelengths, both part of the electromagnetic spectrum. On earth, magnetic fields change and shift, and apparently sea turtles are in most cases sensitive to these changes, keeping them in warmer and safer waters and guiding their way. You really have to appreciate this natural ability as a wonderful example of the adaptive powers of the animal kingdom. Through it baby sea turtles survive, thrive and make unimaginably long journeys, which begin just a few days after birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do baby sea turtles know where to go after hatching?

Baby sea turtles, also known as hatchlings, possess an innate instinct that guides them toward the ocean. This instinctual behavior is known as "sea-finding" and is influenced by visual and magnetic cues. Upon emerging from their nests, they are drawn to the brightest horizon, which is typically over the ocean, and they also use the Earth's magnetic field as a guide.

What role does moonlight play in sea turtle navigation?

Moonlight plays a crucial role in guiding hatchlings to the sea. They are naturally attracted to the brightest direction, which on a natural beach is often the light reflecting off the ocean's surface. However, artificial lighting from nearby coastal developments can disorient them, leading them away from the sea, a phenomenon known as "light pollution."

Do baby sea turtles use the Earth's magnetic field to navigate?

Yes, baby sea turtles utilize the Earth's magnetic field to navigate. Research suggests that sea turtles have a magnetic sense that allows them to detect the angle and intensity of the Earth's magnetic fields, effectively providing them with a geomagnetic map to navigate the vast ocean and find their feeding grounds, according to studies published in the journal Current Biology.

How do baby sea turtles find their way back to the same beach to nest?

Sea turtles exhibit a remarkable behavior known as natal homing, where they return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs. Scientists believe that turtles imprint on the unique magnetic signature of their natal beach as hatchlings and use this geomagnetic imprint to navigate back as adults, as supported by research in marine biology journals.

What challenges do baby sea turtles face during their journey to the sea?

Baby sea turtles face numerous challenges during their journey to the sea, including predation by birds, crabs, and other animals. Additionally, human activities pose significant threats, such as artificial lighting, which can disorient them, and plastic pollution, which can entangle or be ingested by the hatchlings, as reported by conservation organizations.

How can we help protect baby sea turtles during their journey to the ocean?

To protect baby sea turtles, it's essential to minimize beachfront lighting during nesting season, remove debris and obstacles from nesting beaches, and participate in organized beach cleanups to reduce plastic pollution. Supporting sea turtle conservation programs and respecting wildlife protection laws also contribute to the survival of these vulnerable hatchlings.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AllThingsNature contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AllThingsNature contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Amphibious54

@ aplenty- If you ever go back to Maui, the island has a great aquarium that has a green sea turtle display. You can view the sea turtles both from above the water and below the water through the observation window. I went their when I was on my honeymoon, and it was one of the coolest aquariums that I have been to. The aquarium even had a room with a huge column of water filled with jellyfish. The place is amazing, and it overlooks the ocean. The aquarium also has a great restaurant that is open for lunch. We had great food and cocktails while looking out into the ocean.

aplenty

@ GiraffeEars- The last time I went to Hawaii (Maui) I saw a green sea turtle sunning itself on the beach. I had never seen one before this trip, and I was surprised to find out how big they are. These are not small turtles by any means. I am over six feet tall and if I would have lay down next to the turtle it would have probably reached up to my shoulder from shell to snout. The turtle was definitely wider than I was.

GiraffeEars

Marine sea turtles are such amazing animals. They have been around for millions of years, evolving from land creatures during the time of the dinosaurs. Sea turtles are one of the few creatures that have seen the rise and extinction of the dinosaurs.

To me, that speaks to the adaptability and resilience of the species. Their senses have had more time to evolve than almost any other creature. The species has probably seen the shift of the electromagnetic field hundreds of times over, something that the human species has not experienced.

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