Recent heat waves in Florida have caused the sand on some beaches to get so hot that 99 percent of sea turtles born were female. When a female turtle digs a nest on the beach, the temperature of the sand is what determines the sex of the hatchling.

Source: National Geographic/Youtube

Bette Zirkelbach is the manager of the Turtle Hospital, which has been open and operating since 1986. The hospital is located in Marathon, a city in the Florida Keys, and Zirkelbach told Reuters that the last four summers in Florida have been the hottest summers on record.

“Scientists that are studying sea turtle hatchlings and eggs have found no boy sea turtles, so only female sea turtles for the past four years,” Zirkelbach said.

Zirkelbach said that an Australian study showed similar data of most sea turtle babies being female.

Source: Newsy/Youtube

According to NOAA’S National Ocean Service, if a turtle’s eggs incubate below 81.86 Fahrenheit, the turtle hatchlings will be male. However, if they incubate above 88.8 Fahrenheit, they will be female.

Zirkelbach believes that climate will continue to affect the future of turtles and more work will need to be done to save these species.

“The Turtle Hospital was the first. But, sadly and fortunately, there’s a need all throughout Florida.”

The climate crisis is interfering with so many ecosystems all over the world, and it is affecting animals. As Climate change decimates on earth, animal suffering worsens. Arctic animals’ movement patterns have shifted, birds are nesting almost a month early, male dragonflies are losing ornate patterns on their wings, and many other animals are being affected.

Read our coverage on the intersection of Climate change and politics, including why Climate change is a top priority for young voters and the Green New Deal. Cities all over the world, from California to Vietnam, are facing a climate crisis, and millions of people are protesting all over the world. 

The United Nation recently released a report warning countries about the dangers of climate change and has urged people to eat more plant-based as a way to curb it. We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, plant-based, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet. 

Related Content:

• Animal Suffering Worsens as Climate Change Decimates Earth
• Arctic Animals Movement Patterns Shifting Due to Climate Change
• Study Finds Climate Change Could Make Animals Shrink in Size
• How Saving Marine Animals Can Help Protect Us From the Impacts of Climate Change
• How a Changing Climate is Impacting the World’s Wild Animals – and Plants, Too
• Dragonflies Affected by Climate Change
• Birds are Nesting Almost a Month Earlier Due to Climate Change

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