- SEA LIFE, Ocean Tunnel
Turtles are ancient reptiles that have been around for over 200 million years!
Meaning they shared our planet with the earliest Dinosaurs.
There are over 300 species of Turtle in our oceans and rivers today. There are seven species of Sea Turtles – some are critically endangered! They are hunted for their beautiful shells and eggs, and often caught in fishing nets or plastic litter.
Green Sea Turtles
Turtles are reptiles. They have to breathe air and are often seen coming to the surface to fill their lungs. They can hold their breath for many hours at a time if they are not stressed, for example when they go to sleep.
Meet Phoenix
- Phoenix, the giant green sea turtle, was rescued from the Cayman Islands as part of SEA LIFE Blackpool’s popular ‘breed, rescue, protect’ programme.
- Her body fat is bright green! This is because green sea turtles only eat seagrass and algae and are completely herbivorous as adults
Did you know?
Green sea turtles are born only 5 cm (2 in) long. But they grow up to 1.5 meters (5 ft) in length and can weigh over 300 kg (700 lbs), making them the largest of the hard-shell sea turtles!
Rescue, rehabilitate and release
SEA LIFE rescues, rehabilitates and releases many Sea Turtles each year which have been injured or lost their way.
Green sea turtles are listed as an endangered species by the global watchdog IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature they are also threatened by destruction of their nesting and foraging areas, as well as becoming entangled in commercial and industrial fishing nets.
