2016 4-H State Marine Ecology Event
Special Topic - Those
Amazing Sea Turtles
Yes, sea turtles ARE amazing! As a result, this year’s special MEE topic
focuses on the natural history and biology of sea turtles. The questions
below can be answered by reviewing the curriculum called – One in a
Thousand: Those Amazing Sea Turtles. Here is the link to the
curriculum: http://stjohns.ifas.ufl.edu/SEA/seaturtlecurriculum.html. A
link is also on the MEE website. This information will be developed into
additional multiple questions for Section 5 of the MEE contest. The information is for Intermediates
and Seniors only. Youth are only responsible for the chapters listed below. The 4-H program would like
to thank Dr. Maia McGuire, Florida Sea Grant, for permission to use this document as part of the
contest. Youth are encouraged to read other chapters, too! The book contains additional activities your
club can do to help you learn more about sea turtle biology and behavior.
Chapter 1- Sea Turtle Biology
1. How are sea turtles adapted for living in water?
2. Name and describe the basic parts of a sea turtle’s external anatomy.
3. Describe two adaptations that sea turtles have that help protect them from being seen or eaten.
4. Describe the nesting behaviors of female sea turtles.
5. What is the advantage of laying a flexible, leathery shell over a hard shell (like a chicken’s egg)?
6. What is the average number of eggs that sea turtles lay at one time?
7. How long does it typically take for sea turtle eggs to hatch?
8. Why is imprinting important? What factors probably influence a turtle’s return to the same beach?
9. Why are sea turtles not found in colder waters of the world?
Chapter 2- How do Scientists Identify Turtles
10. What is a dichotomous key?
11. What characteristics are useful in determining the different species of sea turtles?
12. Describe the appearance and habits of the leatherback sea turtle. How is it different from others?
13. What is Sargassum and why is it important to loggerheads?
14. What do loggerheads feed on?
15. Describe the appearance and habits of green sea turtles.
16. What is “fibro papillomatosis” and what sea turtle is most affected?
17. Describe the appearance and habits of hawksbill sea turtles.
18. What is meant by the word “niche specialization”? How does it relate to sea turtle life history?
Chapter 4 – How does the Environment Affect Sea Turtle Nests?
19. How might sand grain size affect the health of turtle eggs in a nest?
20. How can coastal storms affect sea turtle nests?
21. How does temperature affect the sex or gender of a baby sea turtle?
Chapter 5 - Growing up Sea Turtle
22. Describe the challenges that a baby sea turtle faces after it hatches and before it reaches the sea.
23. What is meant by the “lost years”?
24. What are some threats or challenges a young sea turtle faces as it tries to survive in the ocean?
Chapter 6 – How do Human Activities Affect Sea Turtles?
25. Describe at least four threats to sea turtles that are a result of human actions.
Chapter 7 – Natural Threats to Sea Turtles
26. How might the following conditions affect sea turtles?




climate change
sea level rise
ocean acidification
harmful algal blooms
For additional information and resources on sea turtles, check out these organizations/websites:
 InWater Research Group - http://inwater.org/
 Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission http://www.myfwc.com/research/wildlife/sea-turtles/florida/
 Sea Turtle Conservancy - http://www.conserveturtles.org/stctmp.php