Wow that was intense, thanks for sharing. Can you explain a bit more about how heat can change their bodies so much?
“if the nest stays intact, her sons and daughters will dig free and crawl toward the brightest horizon. The warmth of the sand will decide their sex. A few degrees more and almost all will be female”
Sea turtles don’t have male or female babies decided by genes like humans do. Instead, the temperature of the sand where their eggs are buried decides it. If the nest is cooler, more males hatch. If it’s warmer, more females do. Scientists call this “temperature-dependent sex determination.” As the climate gets hotter, many beaches are producing almost all female hatchlings, which could make it harder for turtle populations to survive in the future.
You are an amazingly gifted and knowledgeable writer, Luke. Your posts read like stories and yet are filled with much valuable information. I pray that your words reach and touch many people. Thank you for what you do to restore our planet.
This is beautifully written, very affecting. By sticking to facts in evidence, you have painted a heartbreaking scenario and then it’s joyful antidote. Thank you for caring about our world and its marvelous inhabitants and for all of your energy, thought, and effort that went into this piece.
You are so welcome. You are a force for good at a time when we really need it. And you are an eloquent and compelling advocate for our oceans. I’m grateful for you.
Wow that was intense, thanks for sharing. Can you explain a bit more about how heat can change their bodies so much?
“if the nest stays intact, her sons and daughters will dig free and crawl toward the brightest horizon. The warmth of the sand will decide their sex. A few degrees more and almost all will be female”
Sea turtles don’t have male or female babies decided by genes like humans do. Instead, the temperature of the sand where their eggs are buried decides it. If the nest is cooler, more males hatch. If it’s warmer, more females do. Scientists call this “temperature-dependent sex determination.” As the climate gets hotter, many beaches are producing almost all female hatchlings, which could make it harder for turtle populations to survive in the future.
You are an amazingly gifted and knowledgeable writer, Luke. Your posts read like stories and yet are filled with much valuable information. I pray that your words reach and touch many people. Thank you for what you do to restore our planet.
Thanks so much for those positive words, Barbara. I really appreciate you taking the time to write that.
This is beautifully written, very affecting. By sticking to facts in evidence, you have painted a heartbreaking scenario and then it’s joyful antidote. Thank you for caring about our world and its marvelous inhabitants and for all of your energy, thought, and effort that went into this piece.
I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you thought of the article. Thanks so much, Anne.
You are so welcome. You are a force for good at a time when we really need it. And you are an eloquent and compelling advocate for our oceans. I’m grateful for you.
Unbelievable ❤️ this was amazing
One of the best things I did was subscribe to your podcast, Luke. They’re so well written and always fascinating. I look forward t each one!
Thanks always for the ongoing support, Barbara, I’m so glad you find them valuable.