Marine Reptiles and Birds

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Marine Reptiles and Birds

• November 20, 2007

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Marine Reptiles

• What adaptations do they need?
• Ectotherms
• Specialized Eggs

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Sea Turtles

• 7-8 species
• Probably evolved from land turtles
• What adaptations do they need?

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Sea Turtles

• Diet
• Varies with species
• Benthic invertebrates, sponges, jellyfish,
  seagrasses

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Sea Turtles

• Reproduction
• Return to land to lay eggs
• Females lay eggs at night (up to 160 eggs)
• Gender of hatchlings depends on incubation
  temperature

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Sea Turtles

• Distribution

Leatherback
Loggerhead
Flat Back
Kemps Ridley
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Sea Turtles

• Migrations
• Why do they migrate?
• How do they find their way?

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Sea Turtles

• All species are threatened or endangered

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Sea Snakes

• 55 species
• Laterally flattened with a paddle-like tai
• Immense Lungs
• Ovoviviparous
• Carnivores
• Venomous

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Marine Iguanas

• One Species
• Galapogos Islands
• Spends most of its time basking in sun
• Feed on algae
• Eliminate salt through salt glands
• Good swimmers
• Territorial

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Saltwater Crocodiles

• Inhabits mangroves and swamps
• Found in E. Indian, W. Pacific and Australia
• Largest crocodile species
• Diverse diet
• Aggressive

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Seabirds

• What defines a seabird?
• Endotherms
• What adaptations do seabirds have to live at sea?
• Feathers
• Webbed feet for swimming
• Hollow bones
• Nest on land
• Salt glands to excrete salt

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Seabirds

• Very diverse in body form and lifestyle

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Seabirds

• What are seabirds role in the ocean?
• Typically secondary or tertiary carnivores
• Diet consist of fish, cephalapods, and large
  crustaceans
• Compete with fisheries
• Input of nutrients

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Seabird Feeding
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Seabird Feeding

• Feeding Patterns
• Beak Shape
• Polar - pursuit divingTropical - surface plunging

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Seabirds

• Geographic Range
• Migratory vs. Non-migratory
• Where are we likely to find each?

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Tubenoses

• Salt glands to get rid of excess salts
• Include albatrosses and petrels

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Pelicans and their Relatives

• Large fish-eaters
• Include pelicans, cormorants, frigate birds

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Gulls and their Relatives

• Common and widespread
• Predators and scavengers
• Include gulls, terns, skuas, puffins, and
  razorbills

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Penguins

• 18 species
• Extremely good swimmers
• Awkward on land
• Adapted for cold temperature

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Penguins

• Larger species feed on fish and squid
• Smaller species feed mostly on krill
• Strong beaks

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Penguins

• Some species migrate seasonally
• Emperor penguins mate for life
• Males babysit eggs