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Flatback sea turtles have very precise temperature needs during nesting and the incubation of their eggs. Temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius (82 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit) are ideal for nesting beaches because they allow eggs to mature and hatch successfully. Embryos grow in the eggs and hatchlings come out of the nest when the weather is just right.
Flatback sea turtles, like other reptiles, control their internal temperature by drawing on external heat sources. They change their core temperature in response to changes in environmental temperature because they are ectothermic. When flatback turtles want to become hot, they sunbathe in the sun. When they want to cool down, they go for cooler waters. The optimal temperature range for thermoregulation in turtles varies with their life stage, degree of activity, and surrounding environmental factors.
While foraging, flatback sea turtles look for warm seas that are home to enough of the food they eat. Flatback turtles typically forage in water temperatures between about 20 and 30 degrees Celsius (68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit), however this range is not always strictly adhered to. Turtles are able to get the most nutrients out of their meal because their metabolism and digestion work at their optimal temperatures.
Temperature changes impact the behavior and habitat utilization of flatback sea turtles, which in turn affects the suitable temperatures for these turtles, which display seasonal variability. If turtles experience overheating during the austral summer, they may seek out cooler waters; conversely, if turtles experience underheating during the austral winter, they may seek out warmer waters. Changes in temperature throughout the year may have an impact on mating habits, migratory routes, and nesting behavior.
When exposed to temperatures too high, the physiological functions of flatback sea turtles get impaired. Over or below these thresholds, stress, metabolic imbalance, and mortality might result. Although flatback turtles can withstand temperatures up to a certain point, it's not good for their health or survival to be exposed to temperatures too high or too low for too long.
Flatback sea turtles' preferred environments and distribution are highly correlated with the optimal temperatures for these turtles. Tropical and subtropical seas, characterized by warm and mostly constant temperatures year-round, are the usual habitats of flatback turtles. They find the ideal temperature, food supply, and shelter in coastal regions, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and other shallow marine environments.
The flatback sea turtle's habitat and the temperatures that are ideal for it are both threatened by the effects of climate change. Flatback turtles may see a decline in the variety and quantity of their preferred habitat as a result of changes to ocean currents, weather patterns, and sea surface temperatures brought about by a warming planet. To secure the future of flatback sea turtles and the marine ecosystems that support them, it is crucial to conduct conservation initiatives that tackle climate change and safeguard vital habitats.