Scientists studied the impact of temperature on the development of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings, which are endangered.
It has been found that the increase in sand temperature affects not only the sex of the hatchlings, increasing the proportion of females, but also their physical development: the turtles are more often born with shell defects, grow more slowly, and survive less frequently.
Unexpectedly, it turned out that cognitive abilities — the ability to learn and adapt in a maze — are preserved at a temperature of 32.8 °C. This gives hope that turtles will be able to adapt to changes in their environment. However, further increases in temperature could pose serious risks to populations, including reduced overall survival and worsening health of offspring.
Additionally, overheated sand affects hatching times and the size of the hatchlings, making the process of coming into the world more stressful. These changes reduce the chances of survival in harsh conditions, where young turtles face predators and difficulties on their way to the ocean.
