Predators such as sharks or killer whales may severely injure pinnipeds or dolphins. Some pinnipeds incur wounds from fights that erupt over territorial disputes during the mating season. In spite of regulations to protect them, marine mammals are sometimes shot because of conflicts over food between the mammals and fishermen. Head injuries seen on some sea turtles suggest blows to the head with blunt objects. Motor boats and other watercraft can cause substantial wounds to slow-swimming manatees and sea turtles.
All untreated wounds are prone to bacterial infections.
H. Habitat loss Habitat is lost when natural homes of plants and animals are destroyed. Animals forced out of their habitat may not be able to relocate or adapt to a new environment. I. Toxins 1 . Marine mammals sometimes are affected by natural toxins. One such toxin, ciguatoxin, occurs in tropical and subtropical areas.