RK F123 Gapped Text Sea Turtles

The Sea Turtles of Malaysia

There are four types of sea turtles that nest on the shores of Malaysia. They are the leatherback turtle, green turtle, hawksbill turtle and Olive Ridley turtle. .......(1)....... They can grow up to slightly over two metres long and weigh over 900 kg. Unlike other sea turtles that have a hard shell, leatherbacks have a rubbery and flexible shell.

• Male turtles, however, spend all their lives at sea.

• The largest sea turtle is the leatherback.

• They can dive deeper than any turtle.

• The leatherback population is growing steadily again.

They can grow up to slightly over two metres long and weigh over 900 kg. Unlike other sea turtles that have a hard shell, leatherbacks have a rubbery and flexible shell. .......(2)....... They can even stay underwater for up to 70 minutes. During nesting season, female turtles usually come ashore at night to lay their eggs.

• As they make their way to sea, they are preyed upon by birds and monitor lizards.

• The leatherbacks are now endangered in Malaysia.

• They can dive deeper than any turtle.

• The male leatherback turtles are hunted for their skin.

During nesting season, female turtles usually come ashore at night to lay their eggs. They lay between 65 and 115 eggs deep in the sand. The female turtles can have up to 11 different nests per season. Then they roam the oceans for 3 to 4 years until it is time to nest again. ....(30).... Although hundreds of eggs are laid during the nesting season, only a few hatchlings survive their first year.

• Male turtles, however, spend all their lives at sea.

• The leatherbacks are now endangered in Malaysia.

• Every year, thousands of turtles get caught in fishing nets and drown.

• As they make their way to sea, they are preyed upon by birds and monitor lizards.

Although hundreds of eggs are laid during the nesting season, only a few hatchlings survive their first year. .....(4)..... Human also harvest turtle eggs, further reducing the number of hatchlings that make it out to the open sea. Those who make it are not safe from harm.

• The leatherback population is growing steadily again.

• As they make their way to sea, they are preyed upon by birds and monitor lizards.

• Every year, thousands of turtles get caught in fishing nets and drown.

• The leatherbacks are now endangered in Malaysia.

Human also harvest turtle eggs, further reducing the number of hatchlings that make it out to the open sea. Those who make it are not safe from harm. .....(5)..... Others are killed after mistakenly swallowing broken or torn pieces of plastic in the ocean.

• Every year, thousands of turtles get caught in fishing nets and drown.

• As they make their way to sea, they are preyed upon by birds and monitor lizards.

• The male leatherback turtles are hunted for their skin.

• The leatherback population is growing steadily again.

One of the biggest nesting areas used to be located in Rantau Abang, Terengganu but since the 1960s, the population of leatherbacks there has dropped by 99%. This is mainly due to too many egg collection activities carried out by humans. ....(6).....

• The leatherback population is growing steadily again.

• The leatherbacks are now endangered in Malaysia.

• The male leatherbacks are hunted for their skin.

• Every year, thousands of turtles get caught in fishing nets and drown.