Several types of turtles have been on the endangered species list for a long time. Of the seven species of sea turtles, five are listed as endangered and one is listed as critically endangered.With all of the new commercial and residential buildings constantly going up, many species of land turtles are also classified as endangered. All together, there are over two hundred species of turtles that are either endangered or critically endangered. Each one of these species must meet at least one of the five factors outlined by the 1973 United States Endangered Species Act in order to be placed on the list.
The two most endangered species are the Loggerhead Turtle and the Green Sea Turtle. Both are species of sea turtles. Sea turtle eggs often get eaten before they have a chance to hatch. Baby sea turtles that do manage to hatch can get picked off on their way to the sea or at any time during the several years it takes them to mature. Adult sea turtles frequently get caught in fishing nets. They can also be eaten by sharks or some whales. Things like oil leaks and large amounts of pollution on the beaches and in the ocean also prevent sea turtles from having a reliable natural habitat where their young can hatch and grow into adulthood.
Fish, dogs, birds, raccoons, alligators, roads, disease, pollution, oil leaks, land clearing and being caught for pets are just some of the things that have caused the number of turtle species to dwindle over the years. A few of the species on the endangered list include the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Box Turtle, Chinese Three-Striped Box Turtle, Indian Roofed Turtle, Wood Turtle, Desert Tortoise, Olive Ridley Turtle, Blanding’s Turtle, Diamondbacked Terrapin, Northern Red-bellied Cooter, Bog Turtle and Eastern Box Turtle.
Though conservation efforts are being made, turtle species continue to decrease in numbers. Awareness is being raised, but it may not be fast enough to save some of the turtles on the endangered species list.
The first factor outlined in the Endangered Species Act states that if the species natural habitat is or is going to be reduced, then the species is endangered. The second factor covers any species being overused for commercial, recreational, scientific or educational groups. The third factor qualifies any species that has been reduced by disease or frequent predation. The fourth factor species that have no other regulations in place to do so. The fifth factor deals with any factors that directly affect the survival of a species, regardless of their source. Even with the efforts and being placed on the endangered species list, too many types of turtles are dying out.