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loughtthenot t1_j1mofqt wrote

Turtle babies face a gauntlet once they hatch. So many predators swarm the beaches and eat a bunch. Very few survive but they live forever so it works out

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gildedtunes t1_j1n3xhb wrote

Yes, and unfortunately ones born on beaches near the city tend to have worse survivability. Since they mistake the city’s artificial light for the moonlight (which they use to navigate toward the ocean), they end going wrong the way and end up in storm drains, incoming traffic, or worse :(

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Nippahh t1_j1nb3z8 wrote

So how does that work if the moon is in the opposite direction of water?

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gildedtunes t1_j1nckh7 wrote

They use the reflection of the moonlight on the water, not the moon itself.

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Wads_Worthless t1_j1nvb2s wrote

so what happens if it’s cloudy or a new moon?

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gildedtunes t1_j1nx6u1 wrote

I imagine it limits their ability to find the ocean. They also sense and use the Earth’s magnetic fields to know which direction to go in. I believe this also helps them find the sea. My understanding is that light is one of many queues they use to find the ocean. That being said, I’m no expert.

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Tiny_Rat t1_j1olhu1 wrote

>My understanding is that light is one of many queues they use to find the ocean.

Sorry, but it's "cue". "Queue" is a line of people waiting for something.

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badham t1_j1nbmgt wrote

I didn’t know they use light to navigate! This morning I saw a baby turtle go into the ocean during day light. It even knew to go to the watery-streams parts in the sand to be able to get into the water faster. It made it into the ocean in the end! (I think it helped that there was a crowd of 5 or so people standing around and watching it and probably warding off predators. This is in Costa Rica

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throwawaymyyhoeaway t1_j1ndw4u wrote

It's good to have people around to ward off predators, these lil guys deserve life!

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badham t1_j1nvond wrote

I know! I’d have totally picked him up and put him in the ocean but I was worried I’d be yelled at for messing with the ecosystem

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