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| GREEN TURTLE OR " Chelonia mydas " The Green turtle is so called because of the presence of green fat in its body. Even then, its coloration is of dark brown. It has an average size of about 1.2 m in length and easily weigh around 270 kg. Its is the only species that has a hook on both of its front swimming flippers. They feed mainly on sea grass and sea weeds. The nesting season is between April - September and each turtle can lay between 100-140 eggs per nesting. Their eggs are round with soft leathery shells and a diameter of 5.0 cm. It can be found in most states except Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Perlis. |
| RECOGNIZING THE TURTLES |
| HAWKSBILL TURTLE OR " Eretmochelys imbricata " The Hawksbill turtle is easily recognized by the overlapping arrangement of the shell on its carapace. This turtle has a mouth that resembles a hawk's bill, thus the name. Its body length normally do not exceed more than 1 m and can weigh up to 75 kg. The Hawksbill turtle feeds mainly on sponges and soft corals and is easily found in the vicinity of corals reefs. It's body has a brown colobration with pale spots and stripes. The nesting season is between March - June and can lay around 130 eggs per nesting. Their eggs are round with soft leathery shell and a diameter of 5.0 cm. It can be found in Trengganu, Malacca, Pahang, Johor and Borneo ( Sabah & Sarawak ). |
| INTRODUCTION : Marine Turtles are unique marine animals, categorised as reptiles. There are 7 species of marine turtle in the world and 4 of these specials land and lay their eggs on Malaysian beaches. However, their numbers have been declining. As such effective measures need to be taken in dealing with this problem to avoid these creatures from extinction. |
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| LEATHERBACK TURTLE OR Dermochelys coriacea The Leatherback turtle is the largest of all turtle in the world. It can reach to a length of 2 m and can weigh up to 500 kg. This turtle can be recognized by its distinctive carapace marked by seven longitudinal ridges on its back, resembling a starfruit. The body has a dark colobration with white spots and has a deeply notched upper jaw to help them capture jellyfish, their main food and other soft marine life. Each turtle can lay between 60 - 120 eggs. Their eggs are round, with soft leathery shells and a diameter between 5.0 - 605 cm. In Malaysia, Leatherback turtles are found only in the state of Trengganu and Pahang. Their nesting season is between May - August. |
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| OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE OR " Lepidochelys olivacea " The Olive Ridley turtle is the smallest among all turtle. It has an average size of 15 - 65 cm in length and weigh around 50 kg. It's body has a dark coloration as the olive fruit. It feeds mainly on crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans. The nesting season is between March - June. each turtle can lay up to around 100 eggs per nesting. Their eggs are round with soft leathery shell and a diameter of 4.0 cm. This species can be found in the state of Trengganu and Pahang. |