Frequently Asked
Sea Turtle Questions

Curious about sea turtles? Our FAQ page answers common questions about these fascinating creatures, from their nesting habits to the challenges they face in the wild. Dive in to learn more about their lives and how you can help protect them.

1. How many species of sea turtles are there?  There are seven species of sea turtles worldwide: Leatherback, Hawksbill, Green, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Kemp’s Ridley, and Flatback.

2. ​ Which sea turtles do we see most often in Antigua & Barbuda?  Three species regularly nest in Antigua & Barbuda: the Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Green sea turtles. Occasionally, Olive Ridley and Loggerhead turtles pass through our waters.​

3. What is the nesting season for sea turtles in Antigua & Barbuda?  The official nesting season is March 1 to October 31. Leatherbacks are the first to nest, typically starting in February and continuing until June. Hawksbills and Greens usually begin nesting in May, though Hawksbills have been observed nesting earlier. Both species nest until October.​

4. How do sea turtles nest?  Sea turtles usually emerge at night, crawling up the beach in search of a suitable nesting spot. They may inspect several areas before selecting one.

   1. The turtle digs a body pit with her flippers, lowering herself into the sand

   2. Using her rear flippers, she creates a tear-shaped egg chamber.

   3. She lays her eggs, often while experiencing contractions.

   4. Afterward, she carefully covers the eggs with sand, compacting it with her rear flippers and using her front flippers to disguise the nest by scattering dry sand.

   5. Once complete, she returns to the ocean, guided by the moonlight.​

5. How many eggs does a sea turtle lay?  The number of eggs depends on the species and a female may nest between 2–10 times in one breeding season.

   • Leatherback: 80–100 eggs per clutch (up to 9 clutches per season).

   • Hawksbill: 160–200 eggs per clutch.\

   • Green: Around 110 eggs per clutch.

6. How long does it take for sea turtle eggs to hatch?  Eggs typically incubate for about 60 days, depending on the species and environmental factors like sand temperature. Scientists calculate a nest’s “due date” based on the laying date and average incubation time. However, hatchlings may emerge earlier or later.

7. ​How do sea turtles get out of their shells?  Hatchlings use a temporary “egg tooth” called a caruncle to break through their shells. This process is called “pipping”.

8. ​How do the hatchlings know how to emerge together?  Hatchlings communicate by making movements and vocalizations (chirping and rustling sounds) up to 10 days before emerging. This synchronizes their efforts. Together, they climb through the collapsing sand, which provides safety in numbers as they race to the sea.

9. ​What is the survival rate of a hatchling?  The survival rate of sea turtle hatchlings is extremely low. It is estimated that only 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood.​

10. How do hatchlings find their way to the ocean?  Hatchlings use natural light cues from the moon and stars reflecting on the water to navigate. They instinctively crawl toward the brightest horizon. Artificial lighting can disorient them, leading them away from the sea.

11. What determines the sex of a sea turtle?  The temperature of the sand during incubation determines a sea turtle’s sex. Warmer sand produces females, while cooler sand produces males. This phenomenon is called temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD).

12. What is the life expectancy of a sea turtle?  Sea turtles can live for 50–100 years, depending on the species and environmental factors.

13. How often do sea turtles nest?  Females nest every 2–3 years, laying multiple clutches (2–10) in a single nesting season

14.  How does a sea turtle navigate?  Sea turtles use Earth’s magnetic field and visual and olfactory cues to navigate vast ocean distances and return to their natal beaches.

15. Does the mother sea turtle take care of the babies? No, sea turtles do not exhibit parental care. Once a female lays her eggs, she returns to the sea. Hatchlings are entirely independent from birth.

16. How old do sea turtles get?  Sea turtles are believed to live for 50–100 years, but their exact lifespan varies by species.

17. What does a sea turtle egg look and feel like?  Sea turtle eggs are round and leathery, with a soft, flexible shell. They are often compared to ping-pong balls in size and texture.

18. What do sea turtles eat? Diet varies by species: Leatherbacks eat jellyfish. Hawksbills consume sponges. Greens are primarily herbivorous, eating seagrass and algae. Loggerheads feed on hard-shelled prey like crabs and mollusks.

19. How do sea turtles sleep?  Sea turtles sleep underwater, often wedging themselves under rocks or coral to prevent drifting. While sleeping, they surface occasionally to breathe.

20.  How deep do sea turtles dive?  Sea turtles can dive to depths of 300–3,000 feet, depending on the species. Leatherbacks are the deepest divers.

21. Can sea turtles breathe underwater?  No, sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles. They must surface to breathe, though they can hold their breath for extended periods.

22. How long can sea turtles hold their breath.  While resting, sea turtles can hold their breath for up to 4–7 hours. During active swimming or diving, they surface more frequently.

23.  How long do sea turtles live?  Sea turtles have a lifespan of 50–100 years.

24.  Do sea turtles have teeth?  Sea turtles do not have teeth. Instead, they have strong, beak-like jaws that are adapted to their diet.  For example, a Hawksbill has a sharp beak that helps them get into coral cervices for their favourite food, sea sponges.  The leatherback has a serrated mouth that allows them to grab hold of the jellyfish.  Inside their throats, sea turtles have specialized structures called papillae—spike-like projections made of keratin. These papillae line their esophagus and point inward, toward the stomach.  The papillae serve several important purposes like preventing slippery food like jellyfish from escaping

25. How can you tell the difference between male and female sea turtles?  Mature males have longer tails and often a curved claw on their front flippers, used for mating. Females have shorter tails and lack this claw.