Sea turtles lived on Earth for a very, very long time

Imagine something that swam in the oceans when there were still dinosaurs. That’s sea turtles! Scientists have found sea turtle fossils that are about 100 to 110 million years old. That means sea turtles have been around for a super long time.

Step 1 — How long is 100 million years?

100 million years is a number so big it’s hard to picture. Dinosaurs were alive then. Sea turtles were swimming in the same seas as some dinosaurs, and they kept living after many dinosaurs disappeared about 66 million years ago.

Step 2 — What makes sea turtles special?

• They have flippers: Instead of legs, they have flippers for swimming fast in the ocean.
• They have shells: Their shell protects them from danger.
• They travel far: Some sea turtles swim thousands of miles between feeding places and nesting beaches.
• They find their beach: Baby turtles somehow remember where they were born and use Earth’s magnetism like a built-in map to find the same beach years later.

Step 3 — Why could they live for so long?

• They were well adapted to the ocean — flippers and streamlined bodies made swimming easier.
• Their shell gave them protection from many predators.
• They could eat many different things, so they could live in different places and times.

Step 4 — Why are sea turtles in danger now?

Even though they survived a long time, people and new problems put sea turtles at risk today:

• Trash and plastic: Turtles can eat plastic or get stuck in things, which can hurt them.
• Beaches changed: Houses, lights, and cars on beaches can scare baby turtles and stop moms from nesting.
• Fishing gear: Turtles can get caught in nets and ropes.
• Climate change: Warmer sand can change whether baby turtles become boys or girls and can wash away nests.

Step 5 — How you can help (easy things kids can do)

• Pick up trash at the beach or in your neighborhood.
• Never throw plastic into the ocean — use bins and recycle.
• If you visit a beach at night where turtles nest, don’t use bright lights. Lights can confuse baby turtles.
• Learn about sea turtles and tell friends and family how to help.

Sea turtles are amazing animals that have been on Earth for millions of years. We can help them keep swimming for millions more by being careful with trash, lights, and the places where they nest.

Fun fact: The leatherback is the biggest sea turtle. Some sea turtles travel farther than many flying birds!