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Evolution
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As they get bigger, sea turtles have fewer predators. Adult sea turtles are sometimes attacked by sharks, but are usually not killed by them. Adult leatherback has been known to defend themselves against a shark; they will ram into the shark, bite at it, swim rapidly around, and swim upside down on the surface of the water and splash on the surface. In some places of the world, they may be eaten by killer whales, and nesting turtles may be killed by jaguars.
Humans pose the most threat to turtles. They take eggs, kill adults, pollute the ocean, ruin nesting sites, and disturb nesting turtles. In many parts of the world, people use turtle eggs for food. They are an inexpensive source of protein. Green sea turtles are often killed for their meat. Others are not considered as tasty as the green turtle, but they’re still killed and eaten.
People use other sea turtle parts as well. They use turtle oil for caulking wooden boats and for oil lamps. Some other sea turtles, like the hawksbill, are used to make turtle shell jewelry and other expensive items. Poachers look for the olive ridley turtle because they can make leather from its skin. Leatherback turtles do not have valuable scutes ad do not make good leather, so they are safe from these poachers.
