Turtles to Look for in the Maldives
Turtles are one of Mother Nature’s most peaceful creatures. Unproblematic and keeping to itself, these majestic creatures are always a beautiful sight to behold in the water. Cruising through the currents looing for jellyfish to munch on, these beautiful marine reptiles, who have been swimming through the waters of this planet far longer than we have, are under threat of extinction due to human pollution.
When out for a dive or snorkel in the coastal waters of the Maldives, it’s not uncommon to come across a turtle hanging around the reefs or snoozing on a table coral. Let’s go through the types of turtles you’re more likely to meet in the waters of the island nation.
Hawksbill Turtle
The most common turtle in the Maldives is the Hawksbill Turtle. This turtle gets its name due the resemblance of its beak to that of a hawk. This turtle has two clawed flippers and a comparatively small head with the signature hawk-like beak. The hawksbill turtle only reaches a maximum length of 90 CM.
This turtle’s shell, which is patterned and attractively colored in shades of brown and gold, acts as an excellent camouflage in coral reefs. Usually, people hunt for and sell their shells as jewelry on the black market. With their narrow beaks, hawksbill turtles, which are mostly carnivorous, seem to be opportunistic predators that take advantage of opportunities to feed on invertebrates hiding in coral crevices. Sea grasses, algae, barnacles, fish, jellyfish, and sponges are among their other food sources.
While these turtles can be found in every atoll of the Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Ari Atoll and Baa Atoll are known hotspots for these creatures, foraging for food or hanging out amidst the green sea grass.
Green Sea Turtles
These are some of the larger turtles you can find in the Maldives, with adults growing up to 100 CM. The only strictly vegetarian turtle, Grean Sea turtles can be found in tropical waters where seaweed and sea grass grow. They help keep the grass and seaweed healthy by eating the tips of the grass so they can grow healthier. They are known for being able to hold their breath for hours on end as they zip through the water.
They, like other turtle species, are known to cover vast distance to find food and to lay their eggs on the beach. They crawl up to the beach at night, lay their eggs in a hole they dig and return to the waters. Hatchlings will crawl to the ocean, where, if they’re lucky, they can live for up to 80 years.
These amazing creatures can usually be found in Lhaviyani Atoll, Laamu Atoll, and Baa Atoll, grazing in seagrass fields.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
These are the most common turtles in the world. Their habitat ranges from the Pacific to the Indian Oceans. They are named for the olive-green coloring of their skin and shell. Olive Ridleys are on the smaller side growing to about 60 CM. These are mostly carnivorous as well, feeding on jellyfish and crustaceans and even the leafy greens of the oceans at times.
These are known for their unique way of nesting. Thousands of female Olive Ridleys will go up to the beach to lay their eggs, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience and one that’s very rarely witnessed. Once the hatchlings come out of the nests, it is yet another amazing sight as the beach is filled with tiny turtles all making their way into the ocean blue. You are most likely to catch a glimpse of these in Lhaviyani Atoll.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
These are the largest hard-shelled turtle in the world, where the larger specimens can grow up to a whopping 280 CM. These gentle giants got their names for their larger than most heads and horny beaks. They feature yellow- to brown-colored skin, reddish-brown shells with darker stripes, and two-clawed front flippers.
The loggerhead sea turtle is a marine animal that lives in saltwater environments in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Females only come ashore for a short time to lay eggs. After an average of four clutches of eggs, female loggerhead sea turtles go quiescent and stop laying eggs for two to three years. The lifespan of the loggerhead is 47–67 years. The loggerhead sea turtle is an omnivore that mostly eats bottom-dwelling invertebrates including shellfish, sponges, and jellyfish. It also has very strong jaws.
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The rarest and biggest turtle in the Maldives is the Leatherback Sea Turtle. These migratory turtles reach an average of 182 CM, larger than most humans! Their name comes from the leather like feel of the of their shells, which is not as hard as the typical turtle shells. They are also known for migrating across both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Over the past century, there has been a significant decrease in the population of leatherback turtles due to being caught in fishing nets and excessive egg collection. Since jellyfish are the main food source for leatherbacks, it is very common for them to inadvertently ingest plastic bags that are floating in the ocean, which could be fatal. Sightings of these are rare, even in the Maldives.
So on your next trip to the Maldives, be sure to go snorkeling around the natural reefs, who knows what kind of new marine friend you will encounter.
