20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Kissing Turtles

Sea turtles are among the most impacted marine species by climate change. While sea level rise and stronger storms erode their beach habitats, the rising temperatures can change ocean currents, potentially introducing sea turtles to new predators. Furthermore, according to several studies, exist a direct relation between the sand temperature where the turtles nest and the gender of the offspring. The sand temperature in-fact, influence the gender of the offspring during incubation, favoring the females birth and creating consequently a shortage of males. Since years the Royal Thai Navy is committed in sea turtle conservation activities. Thanks to conservation centers spread all over the Country, they monitor and breed hawksbill and green turtles with the aim of releasing them in the sea increasing their population.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Songkhla, Thailand
Camera: NIKON D800
Copyright: © Giacomo d'Orlando
Awards
Photo of the Day: 09.28.23