Turtles Adapting To Rising Sea Levels

Turtles Adapting To Rising Sea Levels

The majority of coastal freshwater turtle species across California could be affected by rising sea levels by the year 2100.  According to a study from the University of California at Davis, about 90-percent of the turtle species would be impacted.  

The study says about 70-percent of turtle species in California live near coastlines, which are expected to experience rising sea levels.  Some freshwater turtles can lose body mass and could die when exposed to high levels of salty water.  

The study showed that some turtles are already starting to adapt by excreting salt through their tears.  Other adaptations could be more behavioral, such as moving between salty and freshwater areas.  The turtles could also restrict eating and drinking when the water gets too high.

Photo: Getty Images


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