Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation

by James R. Spotila

Winner, Professional and Scholarly Publishing Awards in Biological Sciences Winner, National Outdoor Book Award, Nature and the Environment Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Magazine For more than a hundred million years, sea turtles have been swimming in the world's oceans. These magnificent, long-lived creatures spend their lives in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs. Upon hatching, the baby turtles leave the nest and enter a dangerous world of storms and predators. The females will return to the same beach to lay their own eggs when they reach maturity a decade later. Today, there are seven species of sea the grass–eating green turtle; the sea sponge–eating hawksbill; the olive ridley; the Kemp's ridley, which is the smallest species; the loggerhead; the flatback of Australia; and the giant leatherback. Having escaped the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, these ancient reptiles today face new dangers that threaten their pollution, hunting, and the destruction of their nesting grounds. Will this century be the last to witness their majesty? Will succeeding generations live in a world devoid of their graceful presence? Marine biologist James R. Spotila has spent much of his life unraveling the mysteries of these graceful creatures and working to ensure their survival. In Sea Turtles , he offers a comprehensive and compelling account of their history and life cycle based on the most recent scientific data―and suggests what we can do now to save them. From the Kemp's ridley, which nests on a single beach on Mexico's Gulf Coast, to the nomadic leatherback, which can weigh up to a ton and is in the most imminent danger of extinction, Spotila offers a vivid description of their diets and mating habits, and the conservation efforts being made on their behalf. Illustrated with stunning color photographs by the world's leading nature photographers, Sea Turtles will inform and inspire readers of all ages everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Science, Biology, Environment, Natural History

227 pages, Hardcover

First published October 26, 2004

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well organized and thoughtfully presented book on the seven remaining sea turtle species we have today. The knowledgeable and descriptive text is written in approachable language, and is accompanied by beautiful photographs. The end result is a book that presents compelling reasons to both love and protect these amazing creatures.

One key takeaway: if you eat fish, eat sustainably caught fish. International industrial fishing practices, both legal and illegal, are decimating sea turtle populations. Sustainable measures have been proven to reduce this decimation, but they are more expensive and more time consuming. Voting with your dollars will help support those fishermen who are making these life saving choices for turtles and other sea life.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly readable and informative! I almost read it all in one sitting. I loved that it covered the seven species individually. The historical and behavioral information was fascinating. Very well written. Educational without being dry or boring.

[Patrick Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this because Bioma Travel recommended it for the field course. I brought it with me to Costa Rica to enhance my knowledge of sea turtles, but read very little of it there because everyone wanted to borrow it. This is a beautiful and well informed book about the seven species of sea turtles that inhabit our oceans. If anyone is remotely interested in this amazing group of marine reptiles I highly recommend this book.

[Hannah]

I love this book because the author talks about the animals but also the people who work with them. I have read this book more times then I can count, each time learning something new. If you want to learn everything there is to know about sea turtles then this is the book for you. I give this a 10/10.

[Booksquirm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots and lots of sea turtle biology, conservation, and more.

[Kitsune Chuay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good knowledge before stepped into the world of sea turtles.