HOW MANY TYPES OF TURTLES ARE FOUND ON THE GBR?
The Great Barrier Reef is home to six of the world’s seven marine turtles, such as the common Green, the small omnivorous Hawksbill, and the increasingly rare Loggerhead. HOW DO THEY BREED? Turtles can be found throughout the year, but most activity is centered around the warmer months when they get ready to breed. The major nesting areas (known as rookeries) are located in the southern and northern section of the Great Barrier Reef. Breeding turtles don’t eat during the mating period (obviously concentrating on other things!), and the process can sometimes become a frenzy, with several males attempting to mate with the same female. The females will keep the sperm from several different males for later use (this helps to increase genetic diversity and successful fertilization). After mating, the males will return to their feeding grounds, while the female remains to start nesting. Several weeks after the first mating, the females will drag their bodies ashore, and start to dig a hole i
