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Green sea turtle hatchling in the ocean

4 - 8 inches, Atlantic Ocean, BEHAVIOR, Cheloniidae, FL, Florida, Laz Ruda, Lazaro Ruda Wildlife Photographer, MARINE LIFE, Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Reptiles, Reptilia, Sea Turtles: Testudines, TheLivingSea.com, USA, West Palm Beach, baby, baby sea turtle, beach, body - full, close focus - wide angle, close focus wide angle, disk / oval, endangered, endangered species, gray, green sea turtle: green turtle: Chelonia mydas, hatchling, juvenile, macro wide angle, marine, ocean, portrait, reptile, swimming, teal, underwater, underwater photo, vertical, wide angle macro, young

It is believed that sea turtle hatchlings, such as this green sea turtle, locate the ocean because they are phototactic – they are attracted to light. At night, without any man-made lights to confuse them, the glow from the ocean reflects the brightest ambient light. Sea turtle hatchlings will avoid dark areas, such as the dune, as this is the area where predators abound. Learn more about sea turtle navigation.