In this third edition of Let’s Talk Turtles, we’re giving you an exclusive peek into some of the most surprising findings and behind-the-scenes moments from our team in the field – some so unexpected, that they’ve even left our scientists amazed. But that’s not all! We’re also excited to introduce you to our youngest honorary ranger, a passionate nine-year-old gamer, and shine a light on Chaalu, the newest sea turtle rescue to join our care. Now that we are moving into the end of another wonderful year, we would like to express our gratitude to you for sticking with us through every wave. If you are not already subscribed, you can do so here.
Field Diaries:
When nature does not get things right: Next excavations reveal sea turtle egg abnormalities
Did you know that sea turtles lay 60 to over 200 eggs per nest, depending on the species? Now have you ever wondered if all of these eggs hatch?
While many people have seen adorable little hatchlings, if not in real life, then on the internet, what’s left behind in the nest is not accessible to most. That’s because in several countries, touching sea turtle nests or eggs is illegal – and rightly so!
So this time, we bring you an inside scoop on spoils from the sand.
Our scientists and sea turtle biologists hold special permits to routinely excavate sea turtle nests once they’ve hatched, and study their contents. These excavations not only help us rescue stragglers that may not have made it out of the nest, but also give us valuable insights into how many hatchlings a nest produced.
Interestingly, excavations also reveal information about the eggs that didn’t hatch. This is where things get truly fascinating, we get a tiny peek into how nature sometimes does NOT get things right.
This work also serves an important conservation purpose by helping us understand how changes in the nest environment – from sand quality and temperature to pathogens – affect hatchling development and, ultimately, sea turtle populations.
Unusual discoveries from sea turtle nests:
Following this scientific tradition, our team excavated all 12 nests that hatched in Laamu Atoll over the past three months. Three of these nests revealed rare cases of congenital (condition present from birth) malformations . These were:
1. Carapace (shell) malformations:
A sea turtle’s shell can sometimes form abnormally. These malformations can range from unusual scute (shell-plate) patterns, to more serious shape defects that affect a hatchling’s movement or development. Since a sea turtle’s shell is directly connected to its spine, deformities in the spine are visible on the shell. For example, when the vertebrae don’t form or fuse completely, the spine can bend abnormally (as pictured here) – conditions known as kyphosis or lordosis in humans. Such issues may be genetic or caused by interruptions in how cells communicate during early development.
2. Twins:
Twinning happens by chance when a fertilized egg cell divides in an unusual way, creating two identical turtles instead of one. Unfortunately, most twins in sea turtle eggs don’t survive until hatching. The egg likely doesn’t provide enough energy for both embryos to develop properly, or one or both may have genetic defects that aren’t visible. Even if a pair of twins were to hatch successfully, we’d never know since hatchlings from the same nest look almost identical.
3. Two-headed hatchling:
The most astonishing find this season was a hatchling born with two heads – or a polycephalic hatchling. This rare condition occurs when the embryo’s head, or parts of it, begin to form twice due to disruptions in cell division. These disruptions can stem from issues in the cells’ signalling pathways, possibly triggered by extreme temperature or moisture levels, or organic pollutants. Polycephaly is quite uncommon in nature, and most embryos with this condition don’t survive because their nervous systems are affected – making this hatchling a truly exceptional case.
Since no adult sea turtles with two heads have been recorded, we can assume the survival rate for two-headed hatchlings to be close to zero. This is likely because having more than one nervous system trying to control a single body would make survival in the wild nearly impossible.
4. Stage 2 embryo:
During excavations, unhatched eggs often contain embryos that stopped developing halfway through. Scientists classify these embryos into stages based on size, coloration, and yolk absorption. A Stage 2 embryo measures around 1-3 cm and starts to show body pigmentation. The limbs are forming, and the ribs start growing outward to create what will become the sea turtle’s characteristic shell. Studying embryos like these helps researchers trace when and why development stopped, identifying causes for disruption such as – temperature spikes, flooding, or egg movement.
While these rare malformations offer us a window into the secrets of egg development, some eggs hold an even deeper mystery. These are the undeveloped eggs – perfectly intact yet showing no signs of embryo formation within. They resemble chicken eggs, the shells giving way to a regular yolk. So why do these eggs not develop and hatch? Find out how glowing microscopic cells reveal the answer here.
What can a sea turtle’s shell tell us?
A turtle carrying the world on its shoulder is a popular myth that has its origins in many indigenous cultures across the world – from Native America in the West to China and India in the East. These myths speak of the world’s origins, infused with themes of stability, cosmic longevity and wisdom.
In the curious way that art imitates life, scientists have found that sea turtles in fact quite literally carry an entire world on their backs. While some of the life blooming on a turtle’s shell is visible – like the infamous barnacles, much of it is indistinguishable with the naked eye. This community of organisms, including algae, small invertebrates and microorganisms, that live on the surface of another organism form what is known as an ‘epibiome’.
Our team led by senior project scientist, Dr Stephanie is studying the epibiome of sea turtles across in the Maldives, and here are some valuable insights we are hoping to understand further through research:
- What are the species associated with sea turtles? As mentioned earlier, a sea turtle’s shell, and even its skin, can serve as a host for a diversity of species – creating a miniature ecosystem that travels around the ocean. These species can be parasitic, such as blood sucking leeches, to commensal such as small crustaceans and snails. This often-overlooked role highlights how sea turtles support even microscopic biodiversity. The lives of these associated species are still largely unknown, making this a fascinating and underexplored area of marine research with possible implications for ecology and conservation.
- Can a sea turtle’s epibiome tell us about their habitats? The short answer is yes! By studying the tiny organisms that live on a sea turtle’s shell – its epibiome – we can learn more about the environments and habitats the sea turtle visits. For example, do certain epibiont species only appear on sea turtles that swim through healthy reefs? Are some types more common in one region than another? Once scientists are able to identify these patterns, taking just a small sample from a sea turtle’s shell could help indicate where the turtle is spending most of its time, and even help monitor reef health across Maldives.
- What about sea turtle health? The number and type of organisms living on a sea turtle’s shell can also be linked to its health. Sick or injured sea turtles may not clean themselves as often, visit cleaning stations less, or not move around much. This makes it easier for other creatures to settle and grow on their shells.
- Can the marks on a sea turtle’s shell tell us about human impact? Interestingly, the epibiont film – the layer of tiny organisms on the sea turtles’ shell – can become thick enough to be seen clearly. This layer can be disturbed when sea turtles scratch themselves or even when humans handle them. Both actions leave visible marks in the film. In a new study launched last month, we’re using photo records of known sea turtles at a popular spot (x) to look for signs of human contact. These markings could help us detect cases of illegal or harmful handling by humans, and push for better regulations.
Inspiring little rangers in Laamu Atoll
Stephen Moss, a British Natural Historian once said “Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves”. We’ve often seen this come true in our interactions with children, and watched with satisfaction as their natural curiosity, when honed, gives way to sincere interest and unrestricted imagination.
Our most recent engagement with little Kiyaan, a cheerful and inquisitive nine year old from Laamu Atoll, reminded us why involving the next generation is so important.
Our sea turtle ranger, Inaan and sea turtle conservation officer, Ibaadh in Laamu Atoll, met Kiyaan during their routine sea turtle nesting beach surveys. Kiyaan, an avid gamer with hopes of becoming a streamer, took immediate interest in our drone monitoring work. He launched a flurry of questions – how does a drone work? What are we using it for? Why is it important to monitor beaches?
When Kiyaan found out we were using the drone to protect sea turtles, their nests and their babies, he grew even more interested. Our rangers, being the most wonderful mentors, decided to show Kiyaan around, and give him a closer look into the world of sea turtle conservation. Kiyaan accompanied the rangers through the day, learning all about sea turtles, looking for nests, and understanding the correct behaviour to follow around nesting turtle mamas.
After spending the day as “Little Ranger”, and helping out with fieldwork, Kiyaan’s aspirations grew. “I still want to stream, but now I want to talk about sea turtles too, not just games!” he declared confidently.
That moment stuck with us. It confirmed our faith in our work with communities – that we’re not just protecting sea turtles, we’re helping raise the next generation of conservationists. And in places like Laamu, home to some of the most important nesting beaches in the Maldives, that local connection really matters.
That’s why local rangers like Inaan and Ibaadh play such a vital role. They come from the same islands, speak the same language, and share the same cultural context as the children they inspire. When children see someone like them protecting the environment, it makes the idea feel real, and achievable. If every role model is an outsider, conservation can start to feel like something meant for someone else.
Supporting local leaders like Inaan and Ibaadh isn’t just good practice, it’s essential. They’re not only doing the day-to-day work of monitoring beaches, protecting nests, and spreading awareness, they’re lighting the way for future rangers like Kiyaan.
This small moment in Laamu reminded us that children are already watching, learning, and imagining their own futures. With the right support, those futures can include saving sea turtles too.
Read more about our Sea Turtle Ranger Programme in Laamu here.
Rescue spotlight: Be the first one to help give young Chaalu a second chance
During a stay at One&Only Reethi Rah in North Malé Atoll, guest Mr. Pinka noticed a small ghost net drifting near the shore. He looked a little closer, and to his surprise, found a young olive ridley turtle entangled within it. The sea turtle, now named Chaalu – Divehi for ‘pretty’, had suffered a deep wound to her front right flipper from the net’s tight grip.
Though Mr. Pinka and resort staff attempted to release her back into the sea, Chaalu showed signs of weakness and distress, remaining afloat rather than diving down. Concerned for her wellbeing, ORP’s on-site sea turtle biologist Erin quickly coordinated an emergency transfer for Chaalu to Malé.
From there, our Malé team ensured Chaalu’s safe arrival at our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Baa Atoll via a Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) seaplane.
Upon admission, Chaalu underwent a full medical assessment. In addition to the cut on her flipper, our team found ligature wounds on both hind flippers and around her neck – classic signs of ghost net entanglement. We conducted blood tests which confirmed an internal infection.
Our dedicated veterinary team is now working on a specialised treatment plan tailored to Chaalu’s needs, and will be monitoring her recovery with great care.
Chaalu has a long road ahead, but with continued support and expert care, we’re optimistic that she’ll get her second chance at life in the ocean. You too can help Chaalu’s recovery and care.
