Solved: The Mystery of Sea Turtles' 'Lost Years'

2025-02-09
Solved: The Mystery of Sea Turtles' 'Lost Years'

Scientists have solved a long-standing mystery surrounding the 'lost years' of sea turtles. By attaching GPS trackers to young turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, researchers discovered that these creatures aren't passively drifting with ocean currents, as previously thought. Instead, the tiny turtles actively swim, navigating between continental shelf waters and the open ocean, making their own decisions about where to go. This research, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, fills a significant gap in our understanding of sea turtle life cycles and offers crucial insights for conservation efforts.