Did You Know?

A Sea Turtle Can Hold Its Breath For Up To 7 Hours

Sea turtles are incredibly well adapted to their marine existence; some can remain underwater for hours at a time. Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) hold the record for longest dive. Scientists have documented them remaining underwater for longer than 10 hours.

Also, some groups of sea turtles hibernate underwater just as their freshwater cousins do. The sea turtle’s body is wonderfully adapted to life in the ocean. Their shells are lighter and more streamlined than those of their land loving cousins. Their front and rear limbs have evolved into flippers making them efficient and graceful swimmers. Usually returning to the surface every few minutes to breathe they can stay underwater for more hours when at rest! Often, while snorkeling, one can see them just lying on the ocean floor resting. Snorkel slowly and look closely, because heir coloring helps them to blend in so it isn’t always easy to see them.