Pronunciation: [sˈiː tˈɜːtə͡l] (IPA) 
Sea turtle is spelled as /si ˈtəːtəl/. The word "sea" is spelled with the phonemes /si/ and the vowel sound is pronounced as the long "e" sound. "Turtle" is spelled with the phonemes /təːtəl/ with the first and third sounds pronounced as the "t" sound and the vowel sound is pronounced as the long "u" sound. Together, the phonetic transcription results in the pronunciation of "sea turtle" as /si ˈtəːtəl/.
Sea turtles are large, long-lived reptiles that inhabit marine and coastal ecosystems. They are recognized for their unique physical attributes, with a streamlined body covered in a hard, bony shell called a carapace. These remarkable creatures have flippers adapted for swimming and navigate the ocean waters with agility.
Sea turtles are divided into seven recognized species, namely the green turtle, loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, Kemp's ridley turtle, olive ridley turtle, flatback turtle, and leatherback turtle. These species maintain distinct characteristics and habitats, but they share common traits that define them as sea turtles.
These reptiles spend the majority of their lives in the ocean, except when females come ashore to lay their eggs on sandy beaches. This nesting process is an extraordinary phenomenon, often occurring on the same beaches where the turtles themselves hatched. After the eggs are incubated for several weeks, hatchlings emerge and instinctively make their way to the sea, commencing their perilous journey as they face predation, marine obstacles, and harsh environmental conditions.
Sea turtles are essential components of marine ecosystems, playing significant roles in maintaining the balance of oceanic food chains. Moreover, they contribute to the health of coral reefs by assisting in the vegetation of seafloor seagrass beds through their grazing activities.
These fascinating creatures are also in need of conservation efforts due to various threats they face, such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and illegal hunting. Protecting sea turtles and their habitats is crucial to ensure their survival and the preservation of these magnificent marine species for future generations.
The word "turtle" originated from the Middle English word "tortu" or "tortuse", which was derived from the Old French "tortue" and ultimately from the Latin word "tartarūcha". This Latin term was borrowed from the Greek word "tréchous", meaning "a kind of fish".
As for the term "sea turtle", it is a combination of the word "sea", referring to the ocean or marine environment, and "turtle", denoting the reptile. Together, "sea turtle" is a descriptive term used to specify the type of turtle that resides primarily in the oceans.
