Turtles Diving
Turtles are one of the oldest animals in the whole history of our planet Earth. They are one of the smartest and loveliest creatures of the ocean. Due to the long history of these majestic animals there are numerous and diverse types.
Let us focus on the most widespread species and the most popular ones like that of the Green Turtle, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Leatherbacks.
The sizes as well as the turtle’s actual description vary from one type to another. Of course, turtles being of the oldest reptile groups have many common features, though there are some as well some individual peculiarities.
For example, Olive Ridleys are only about 60 cm in length and the larger Leatherbacks can grow up to 1.9 meters.
Aquatic turtles are bigger than terra firma cousin, plus they have a streamlined shell and non-retractable head and limbs. They use their limbs to swim not to crawl, hence arre in action a great deal of the time; coloration ranges from greenish-brown, olive-green, even yellow to black.
Green Turtles are differentiated by a single pair of facial scales in comparison with other representative of family group which have two pairs of these pre- frontal scales.
Olive Ridleys are named like this because they are olive in colour. Hawksbill has a narrow head and a funny mouth slightly stuck out.
Green Turtles are vegetarians; they eat sea grass and algae. In Olive Ridleys` diet are mollusks, squids, jellyfish, tunicates and some crabs. Olive Ridleys, Hawksbills and Leatherbacks use their jaws to crunch exoskeletons if needed and are very good at it so beware your fingers!
It is a very attractive pastime to perform turtles diving during their mating time. It is remarkable and alluring to watch how several males turtles court a single female of the specie. Copulation is internal and several weeks later eggs are carefully hidden in sand nests. It is an amazing fact that little turtles are oriented to the waters thanks to moon light and sea conditions. When the nighttime beach is suddenly lit with a torch or beam of light it is not a surprise to find a small turtle after hatching near a bar of terrace rather than in the sea. That is why some of the juvenile hatchings die as they loose there inbuilt sense of direction or get eaten on their way to the sea.
Even in adulthood turtles can be attacked by tiger sharks. The species mentioned above can be found when diving with turtles in the Indo-Pacific region.
It is well thought among those that care that humanity has to undertake a new and more efficient program in the protective measures to guard these nice creatures from disappearance.
The overall ecological situation can lead to some unpleasant results. Nowadays less turtles than ever before come and leave their eggs on the beaches. It appears that bright lights and rubbish are the main causes. For example, a plastic bag can be treated by turtles as jellyfish with the fatal consequences. Let us do our best to defend these turtles for our children and so they to can have fun diving with turtles.
When diving with turtles remember your first moments are important as turtles diving must be conducted in slow and with small movements. You must not get too excited, a slow approach will allow you to see many turtles types at the same time as they will not swim rapidly away. I assure you it is going to be a peak of joy and fun! Whether they are resting on the corals, rising up for breathing, or just swimming gracefully in waters- you will gain great pleasure in watching this super spectacle.
If you are lucky, you can witness them during their mating period. Just be very calm and careful and you will see all. You can do turtles diving any place where turtles do dwell. Wish you good luck and swim slowly!
