With temperatures on the rise, scientists in Malaysia say they are witnessing a feminization of the turtle population which would make it hard for the turtle population to keep reproducing.
Summary
During the egg incubation period, the temperature of the sand determines whether the hatchlings will be male or female. Because of the rising temperatures, there are now more females than males, which could make it hard for the turtle population to keep reproducing.
Nicholas Tolen, a sea turtle researcher, said that the ideal temperature for turtle eggs is between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius. If it's hotter, most hatchlings will be female. If it's cooler, more males will hatch.
Researchers at the Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary are moving turtle nests to cooler, shaded areas. They do this at night after the female turtle lays her eggs and returns to the sea. Volunteers dig up the eggs and move them near the rainforest where it's cooler.
Malaysia's sea turtles have been declining for years because people harvest their eggs, overfish the area, and don't enforce conservation laws well. Tolen said that with ongoing climate change, the situation could get worse, leading to fewer turtles being born and able to reproduce.
Tweet
Climate change is causing more female sea turtles in Malaysia. Researchers are moving nests to cooler areas to balance the sexes and help the population. 🐢 #ClimateAction #Conservation #ClimateChangeMalaysia
Link
https://abcnews.go.com/International/seabird-populations-risk-amid-increased-hurricanes-extreme-weather/story?id=110788217
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01342-6