Sea Turtles Lost Years – An Oceanic Mystery

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Sea Turtle Activity Update August 16.docx.pdf

Sea turtle experts refer to the “lost years” as the time after hatchlings head out to sea, where they remain for two to 10 years, before returning to their near shore feeding habitat as juveniles (about the size of a dinner plate).

They are called the “lost years” because not much has been known about where young sea turtles go and are rarely seen by humans. But with the aid of technology, researchers are beginning to have some ideas.

Each year from late July to November, tiny sea turtle hatchlings seemingly vanish into the vast ocean along Florida’s coast. Where do sea turtles go during those lost years? It is an oceanic mystery which they have been programmed to do for 100 million years.

The exact whereabouts during that time has been unknown until recently when researchers are using technology to track them. Researchers believe that the young sea turtles look for places to hide with plenty of food. The floating rafts of Sargassum seaweed line in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic is an attractive destination for the young sea turtles.

This can stretch for miles across the ocean providing habitat, food, refuge, and breeding grounds for many marine animals including young sea turtles. According to researchers, it is here that young sea turtles ride the big ocean highways of Sargassum covering long distances.

There’s still much to learn about the “lost years” but researchers are gaining more insight and unraveling this oceanic mystery.