TURTLE LAB

1.Turtle nests are found near areas where tourists visit. Many of these locations have
ordinances in place to protect turtles. List a few rules that would be necessary to protect
turtles in these areas.
Some rules that people ask so the turtles are not harmed are...
-No Bright lights or flashes
- No toys or furniture that may block a female from a nesting site.

2.What reproductive challenges do female sea turtles face?

Some things that female turtles might struggle with are that if they get relocated
there is a 60 percent chance of a success rate.
3. Some conservation efforts remove eggs and raise the hatchlings in captivity to ensure
their survival. Do you think money should be spent for captive breeding programs? Why
or why not?
I dont think so because I think they should be left alone and let them take their own
path, and if there in great danger then just relocate them but I dont think they should
be locked up somewhere that isnt there home land.

4.The term "in situ" is used by doctors to refer to organs or structures that are studied
without removing them from the body. For example, a photo may show a picture of a
heart in situ. How is the term used to describe turtle nests?
Nets protecting the turtle nest.
Sea Turtle Data
Individuals
Present

Survived

Survivorship

1100

1100

1.0

1100

1000

1000/1100 = .91

(or hatched)
Time 0
(eggs laid)
Day 1

Day 2

1000

600

.6

Day 3

600

230

.33

Day 4

230

80

.87

Day 5

80

18

.225

Year 15

18

16

.89

. Identify another animal that is an r-strategiest, like the turtle.

Animals like fish, frogs and salamders

7. The graph shows survivorship curves for organisms that have different strategies.
Identify which type is likely human and which type is the loggerhead sea turtle.
I think that type one is humans and type three is turtles.

8. The three types of curves are also described as: early loss, late loss, and constant
loss. Propose an organism that would have a Type 2 curve. Defend your choice by
describing this animal's life pattern using the data and growth curve as a guide. (If you
are really stuck, use google to look up survivorship curves)
Like birds and fishes etc. because it describes organisms with a high death rates
right after birth.

9. What other animals can you think of would be R strategists? There are also animals
described as K-strategists. Describe this type of strategy and provide an example.
Insects and spiders can be r-strategist and larger mammals like elephants and horses
are k- strategist.

10. In some cases, animals reach their biotic potential (if for a short period of time) and
wreak havoc on the environment. What is biotic potential and why would reaching it
create problems for the environment?
Biotic potential is when a population of a species increases when the environmental
conditions are bad. This would be bad for the environment because there wouldnt be
enough food and no predators.
13. "K" refers to the carrying capacity. Based on the graph and the text, suggest a
definition for "carrying capacity." (If you are stuck, you could google it.)
Carrying capacity is the max population size of a species that an environment can hold
and provide for.
14. What factors would affect the carrying capacity of turtles? There are two types of
limiting factors: Density-dependent factors and density-independent factors. Define
each and indicate which would have the greater impact on turtle populations.
Density-dependent factors are effects on the size or growth of the population. Densityindependent factors are the weather and climate that exert their influences on
population size. I think that the Density-dependent factor has more effect on the tutles.
16. Based on the graph, what is the carrying capacity for crabs in the area being studied.
Propose a reason that the population dropped in 2010.
There was about 45,000 crabs being studied and I think in 2010 there was an oil spill so
of course the turtles wouldnt want to eat bad crab like we wouldnt want to eat bad
crab.

17. What does the population curve of crabs tell you about the loggerhead turtle
populations in the same area?
That the turtles were being fed and had enough of food and water resources.

18. Summarize: Using all of the information from the case study, summarize the
relationship between the following terms: carrying capacity | r-strategist | survivorship
| biotic potential | logistic growth curve | limiting factors

Many turtles that are hatched dont make it because of the carry capacity of the
environment that they live in. Turtles are R_ strategist because they produce cheap
offsprings and live in unstable areas. I think that turtles have biotic potential because
they hatch many eggs even though they live in a bad area.