Mersin Caretta Caretta

Caretta caretta is a species of sea turtle belonging to the genus Caretta. It never comes ashore except to lay eggs. Its back is reddish brown, and its underside is whitish light yellow. Its legs are paddle shaped for swimming and have a maximum of two claws on the outer edges. Males are distinguished from females by their longer, backward curved claws and longer tails. Although it breathes oxygen from the air, it can remain underwater for extended periods. They bury their eggs at night in pits they dig in the sand. They can lay up to 100 eggs at a time (up to 162 have been recorded). After a 2-month incubation period, the hatchlings emerge at night and head to the sea. They are widespread along the Mediterranean coast. The most important nesting areas are Yumurtalık district of Adana and the coasts of Belek, Anamur, Köyceğiz, and Dalyan. The Belek coast is the second largest nesting area for Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean (after Zakynthos Island in Greece) and the largest in Türkiye. In 2006, approximately 1000 nests were identified and protected in Belek, and in 2007, 1040 nests were identified and protected in Anamur. Their shells can grow up to 1 meter in length. They feed on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic creatures (especially jellyfish). They are known to have been on Earth since approximately the Eocene. Their numbers are decreasing today due to human settlement and reproduction, as well as light pollution. They are under protection because they are endangered.