Sea Turtles: An Extraordinary Natural History of Some Uncommon Turtles
Biologist Witherington doesn't find it difficult to imagine a turtle with the elegance of a bird. He has worked with sea turtles for 20 years and shares his fascination with these ancient reptiles in this new introduction to the group. The seven species of sea turtles are found in coastal waters as adults and must return to uncluttered beaches to lay their eggs, a life cycle familiar to beachgoers and divers worldwide. Opening chapters cover the evolution of sea turtles and their physiology, anatomy, life cycle, and natural history. A chapter that will hold particular interest examines the nesting of sea turtles as the females come to shore to dig their nests and bury their eggs--an event that many enthusiasts have witnessed. Another chapter is devoted to how baby turtles make it to the open ocean and how adults navigate, followed by an examination of the turtles' role in marine ecology. A long section provides a description of each species of sea turtle, and the final chapter discusses their relations with humans. Beautifully illustrated.Nancy BentCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved