Sea turtles
Sea turtles live in a variety of habitats. In Canada, this includes both coastal and offshore waters. They feed seasonally in Canadian waters.
Canadian waters are home to several sea turtle species, including:
- Leatherback Sea Turtle (Atlantic and Pacific populations)
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Kemp's ridley Sea turtle
- Green Sea turtle
Sea turtles have large front flippers that make them strong swimmers. Most have a hard shell (carapace). The Leatherback's carapace is covered in leathery skin. Unlike freshwater turtles and tortoises, sea turtles can't pull their limbs and head inside their shell for protection.
Help protect sea turtles
You can help protect sea turtles by using less plastic. Sea turtles may mistake plastic waste for food. They may also get tangled up in various kinds of plastic, such as 6-pack rings from soda cans or packing straps. This can injure them or make it hard for them to swim or feed.
Ways to reduce your plastic waste:
- use reusable shopping bags
- recycle plastic whenever possible
- drink from refillable water bottles
- pack your lunch in reusable containers
- refuse single-use plastics, like straws and bags
- put your garbage in a trash container with a lid
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