Shell Shocked: 15 Amazing Sea Turtle Photos
Here at Scuba Diving, we're very open about our love for sea turtles. And who could blame us? Not only are they adorable — if you need convincing, see image No. 2 — but they are also some of the most fascinating creatures you'll encounter during your time below the surface.
So to accompany this gallery of amazing images submitted to the 2014 Through Your Lens Photo Competition, here are some fun facts about these shell dwellers.
They're Old
Sea turtles can live for more than 100 years.
We Mean, Really Old
Fossils of ancient sea turtles date back to more than 100 million years ago, making these critters some of the oldest animals on the planet.
They Cry
To rid their bodies of excess salt, sea turtles have a gland that empties into their eyes that makes it seem like they are crying. These "tears" also help keep sand out of the eyes of female sea turtles when they're digging their nests.
They're Divers
Leatherback sea turtles routinely dive more than 1,000 feet, but can reach depths of more than 3,000 when seeking prey.
They're Fragile
According to World Wildlife Fund, leatherback, hawksbill and Kemp's ridley sea turtles are listed as critically endangered; loggerhead and green turtles are listed as endangered; Olive ridley sea turtles are considered to be vulnerable; and flatback turtles do not have sufficient data to establish endangerment status.
They Need Your Help
In addition to making environmentally friendly choices, you can help save sea turtles by donating to a conservation agency or by volunteering at your local beaches.
Here at Scuba Diving, we're very open about our love for sea turtles. And who could blame us? Not only are they adorable — if you need convincing, see image No. 2 — but they are also some of the most fascinating creatures you'll encounter during your time below the surface.
Alexia DunandSea Turtle
Alfonso ExpositoSea Turtle in Bahamas
Location: Bahamas
Category: Wide Angle
Marcello Di FrancescoIndonesian island
In this amazing Indonesian island, the miracle of life repeats almost every night ... many turtles come to lay their eggs on this piece of land, where the long journey begins.
Location: Sangalaki Island, Indonesia
Category: Wide Angle
Jeff LaFrenzSea Turtle in Komodo
The observer became the observed when this turtle decided to investigate that strange creature hanging around taking his photo.
Location: Komodo, Indonesia
Category: Behavior
Massimo ZanniniGreen Sea Turtle
Susan ShieldCurious turtle posing for the photo
A very curious turtle! I was taking photos and she was posing for the camera. When I was taking this photo I was back fining as fast as I could to try and keep the most of her in the shot. An amazing experience with a very curious turtle.
Location: West of Eden, Similan Islands, Thailand
Category: Behavior
Ken KieferA Hawksbill Turtle
A hawksbill turtle makes a turn into the current beneath the blistering sun in Cozumel.
Location: Columbia Shallow / Cozumel
Category: Wide Angle
Simone CaprodossiTurtle in the Arabian Gulf
After a month in the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitiation Program, this turtle was set free into the Arabian Gulf.
Location: Dubai
Category: Wide Angle
Tacey GriffinA turtle in Bonaire
Jan WengerA large school of jack fish was circling a turtle
This picture was taken on Sipadan Island. A large school of jack fish was circling when this turtle pushed through the school right with the sunlight on its back ... this is one of the moments that makes you realize why you started diving.
Location: Sipadan, Malyasia
Category: Wide Angle
Sebastian ÅkerblomA turtle in Koh Tao
Location: Shark Bay/Koh Tao
Category: Wide Angle
David WillisHawksbill Turtle
For Palau, the dive had been unremarkable until I was approached by this hawksbill turtle, seemingly out of nowhere. I expected to be quickly joined by my dive buddies, but I was alone, just the hawksbill and me. We hung out for over 10 minutes while he (or she) posed for the camera. At one point, his nose was 4 inches from the dome port. I had to back away to get this shot.
Location: Palau
Category: Wide Angle
Peter de MaagtA friendly turtle in Tubbataha
Tubbataha is a protected area of the Philippines located in the middle of Sulu Sea. The reefs also serve as a nesting ground for Hawksbill and Green sea turtles. On most of the dives you will meet one of these magnificent creatures. During a dusk dive I noticed this friendly turtle against the last rays of the day.
Location: Tubbataha
Category: Wide Angle
Montse GrilloPerfect shot of the turtles in Tenerife
I find myself devoting much time to these curious creatures. When I take a picture, I always try to let the picture tell a story, and transfer feeling into the viewer. It took me hours — and a lot of patience — to capture this perfect moment.
Location: Tenerife (canary islands)
Category: Behavior
Gil WoolleyChasing Green Turtles
Four male green turtles chase a mating couple in the hope of prizing off the male and taking his place on the female. We witnessed seven males chasing a mating pair on one occasion as the female struggled to reach the surface for a breath under the weight of the fighting males.
Location: Sipadan Island, Malaysia.
Category: Behavior
To accompany this gallery of amazing images submitted to the 2014 Through Your Lens Photo Competition, here are some fun facts about these shell dwellers.
They're Old
Sea turtles can live for more than 100 years.
We Mean, Really Old
Fossils of ancient sea turtles date back to more than 100 million years ago, making these critters some of the oldest animals on the planet.
They Cry
To rid their bodies of excess salt, sea turtles have a gland that empties into their eyes that makes it seem like they are crying. These "tears" also help keep sand out of the eyes of female sea turtles when they're digging their nests.
They're Divers
Leatherback sea turtles routinely dive more than 1,000 feet, but can reach depths of more than 3,000 when seeking prey.
They're Fragile
According to World Wildlife Fund, leatherback, hawksbill and Kemp's ridley sea turtles are listed as critically endangered; loggerhead and green turtles are listed as endangered; Olive ridley sea turtles are considered to be vulnerable; and flatback turtles do not have sufficient data to establish endangerment status.
They Need Your Help
In addition to making environmentally friendly choices, you can help save sea turtles by donating to a conservation agency or by volunteering at your local beaches.
