Glossary Of Sea Turtle Terms

ARRIBADA- when sea turtles nest "in mass", unique to the Olive ridley and on a smaller scale, the Kemp's ridley

BASKING- exposing the body to the warmth of the sun

BYCATCH- species caught secondary to the target species being fished for such as sea turtles being caught in longline swordfish fisheries

CARAPACE- the upper shell of a sea turtle (on the dorsal or upper surface)

CARUNCLE- a temporary "tooth" located on the snout of a hatchling that aids them in breaking out of their shell

CLUTCH- a single batch of eggs laid by a sea turtle

DISORIENTATION- when sea turtle hatchlings are attracted away from the water by artificial lighting from beachfront buildings, street lights, cars, campfires etc. 

ECTOTHERMIC- an organism that's body temperature is determined by it's environment and not regulated internally

ENDANGERED SPECIES- a species that is considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild

ENDOTHERMIC- an organism that's body temperature is regulated internally (birds and mammals)

EPIBIONT- one organism living on another, such as a barnacle attached to a sea turtle  

EXTINCTION- the end or dying out of a species

FALSE CRAWL- an adult female sea turtle attempts to nest but returns to the water without laying eggs

FORAGE- to seek out and obtain food

GELATINIVORE- an animal that eats primarily gelatinous prey like jellyfish

HATCHLING- a newly hatched sea turtle

HERBIVORE-  an organism that consumes only plant material

INVERTEBRATE- an animal without a backbone

JUVENILE- an immature, non-reproducing turtle 

MIGRATION- the movement from one area to another for the purpose of feeding, breeding, etc. 

OMNIVORE- an organism that consumes both animals and plants

PELAGIC- an organism that lives in the open ocean

PIPPING- the process of a hatchling breaking out of their egg shell

PLASTRON- the shell of the ventral or lower (belly) surface of a turtle

PREDATOR- an animal that preys upon other animals

PREFRONTAL SCUTES-  the scutes (scales) located between the eyes

SCUTES- a horny plate on the shell of a turtle

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM- when males and females of a species exhibit different physical characteristics

SEXUAL MATURITY- the age at which a sea turtle begins mating and reproducing

SPONGIVORE- an animal that eats primarily sponges

SUBTROPICAL- the region bordering the tropics, usually between ~20 and 40 degrees latitude in both hemispheres

THERMOREGULATION- the regulation of body temperature

THREATENED SPECIES- a species likely to become endangered throughout all or a portion of its geographical range

TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICE (TED)- a device used in shrimp trawling nets that allows sea turtles to escape if accidentally caught

What Is SEE Turtles?

We're a non-profit organization that promotes conservation travel through wildlife tours that help protect sea turtles and other endangered species. We work with quality tour operators who have passed our criteria to ensure low environmental impact. We're part of The Ocean Foundation.

Other Glossary Links

seaturtle.org Sea Turtle Glossary

WIDECAST Glossary of Sea Turtle Terms