Turtle Hatchlings “Swim” to the Surface – New Research Challenges Digging Assumptions

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According to new research, green turtle hatchlings "swim" through the sand to emerge rather than digging with a head-up rocking motion.

Recent research suggests that green turtle hatchlings 'swim' through the sand to reach the surface after hatching, rather than 'digging' their way out. These findings have significant implications for the conservation of the world's declining turtle population.

Scientists from UNSW's School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences used a small device known as an accelerometer to discover novel findings about hatchling behaviors as they emerge from their nests, as published in Proceedings B.

Sea turtle eggs are buried in nests 30 to 80 cm deep. The newly hatched turtles take three to seven days to reach the sand's surface. However, because this all takes place underground, we know very little about a hatchling's first few days of life.