GREEN SEA TURTLES Michael Molnar OF MARINE ANIMAL S LIFE CYCLES
4 Life Cycles of Marine Animals Scientists believe that all life on Earth began in the ocean hundreds of millions of years ago Today thousands of different animal species live in and around the ocean No one knows exactly how many different species of marine animals there are hundreds of new species are discovered every year Although they share the same saltwater habitat all marine animals grow and change differently over time Each species has its own unique life cycle Life Cycles All living things have a life cycle An animal’s life cycle begins when it is born and is completed when it has young of its own During their life cycles different species grow and change in different ways Everything an animal does throughout its life cycle happens so that it can survive long enough to reproduce Without this circle of life all living things would become extinct The life cycles of marine animals can be as different as the animals themselves
5 Green Sea Turtles Green sea turtles are one of the largest and most common species of marine turtle Sea turtles have a unique life cycle that takes place on land as well as in the sea Green sea turtles must survive many dangers if they wish to complete their life cycle and have young of their own Sea Turtles Are Reptiles Green sea turtles are reptiles This means they are cold-blooded and must use the sun to warm themselves Like other reptiles sea turtles lay eggs Sea turtles and most other reptiles do not care for their young after they hatch Life on Their Own Hundreds and thousands of sea turtles hatch from their eggs at the same time However from the moment a green sea turtle hatches it is on its own Female sea turtles do not care for their young Most of the young turtles will not survive long enough to complete their life cycle Green sea turtle hatchlings have to survive without the care of their mother
