Marine reptiles are reptiles that have adapted to live in the ocean and make up a very small group of around a 100 species. This section showcases some of the more common representatives including turtles and sea snakes. In addition to characteristics all reptiles have, marine reptiles also have salt glands to throw out excess salt from their bodies. Those like turtles come to the land to lay eggs in a mass nesting event that happens in large numbers along select coastlines in the world. The major threats to these marine reptiles include being caught as bycatch, or entanglement in nets.
Nupur Kale
Joydeep Sarkar
( Chelonia mydas )
They use three ecosystems during their different life stages such as beaches for nesting or laying their eggs, the open ocean as juveniles and the coastal areas such as those around reefs and seagrass meadows for feeding
One of the most graceful species residing in the marine realm is the green sea turtle. These species are quite large is size, attaining about 120 cm in length and weighing about 130-160 kg. They get their name the 'green' sea turtle not because of the colour of their 'carapace' or shell but from a green layer of fat that forms below it's shell.
They are known to feed mainly on algae, sea grasses and sometimes discarded fish, invertebrates and sponges.
Chetan Rao
Nupur Kale
( Lepidochelys olivacea )
Reside in inshore waters at depths between surface to 55 m. They use three ecosystems during their different life stages such as beaches for nesting or laying their eggs, the open ocean as juveniles and the coastal areas such as those around reefs and seagrass meadows for feeding
Growing up to a maximum length of about 61 cm. The olive ridleys get their name from their olive coloured carapace or shell which is heart shaped. The carapace of females is a bit more rounded than the males. Mesmerizing to the viewer, they are charcoal grey when young and dark green in coloured when adults.
They feed on jellyfish, tunicates, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs etc.
Adhith Swaminathan
( Eretmochelys imbricata )
As like other sea turtles, these species move between the habitats of open oceans, lagoons to seagrass meadows and estuaries.
The hawksbill sea turtle can grow up to about 1 m in length. They are renowned for their carapace or shell that has an amber coloured background with irregular pattern of light and dark streaks and black and brown spots or rays facing towards the sides. They are referred as the hawksbills due to their elongated and bird-beak resembling mouth.
Sponges make up majority of their diet. However, they also feed on jellyfish, sea anemones fish and crustaceans as well.
Vardhan Patankar
Chetan Rao
( Laticauda colubrina )
Laticauda colubrina
Reaching about 152 cm in length, the head of the snake is black while the upper lips and snout are coloured yellow. The upper half of the snake is bluish grey while the belly is yellow. The whole body of the snake has black stripes from the head to the tail, which is shaped like a paddle to assist with swimming. This species are venomous and hence to be cautious in its presence is important.
Eels, small fish and invertebrates are their primary food source.
Chetan Rao
Chetan Rao
Chetan Rao
( Hydrophis schistosus )
Found between the depths of 3-22 m in shallow waters near mangroves and estuaries.
With a maximum length of about 100 cm, this sea snake displays a dark grey colour on the upper half while the sides and lower parts of the body are white in colour. The hooked-nose sea snake is highly venomous and aggresive accounting for more than 50% of all sea snake bites.
Primarily feed on fish.
Phalguni Ranjan
( Varanus salvator andamanensis )
You can find them in mangrove forests and swamps.
The andaman monitor lizard can reach a maximum length of about 1.5-2 m. They are quite bulky and muscular to the eye. They display a dark brown to black like colouration with yellow spots scattered all over the body that go away with age. Equipped with strong jaws and sharp claws, the andaman monitor lizards are also good swimmers.
Feed on fish, birds, crabs and snakes as well.