Until recent years, experts had no idea where hatchlings went after they emerged and reached the sea. They could only guess and debate the direction and stages the hatchlings go through. However, not long ago, a research team funded by The Batchelor Foundation uncovered the secrets of the life of this “enigmatic” creature. The research focused on efforts to monitor hatchling movements by deploying a mini satellite telemetry device attached to the hatchling’s carapace (back). The device had to be strong enough and have a constant power supply to send signals to satellites, yet small enough not to interfere with the hatchling’s activities. The research team was “equipped” with several super-mini satellite telemetry devices that could be attached to the small carapace of the hatchlings. Despite their size, the devices were powerful, as they were powered by small solar panels.
Attaching the satellite telemetry device to the hatchling’s carapace was not an easy task because:
- The hatchling continues to grow.
- The skin on the turtle’s carapace sheds continually.
If the device were placed directly on the hatchling’s carapace, it would likely fall off within two weeks. An expert had to apply a special paste to inhibit carapace growth at the location where the device would be attached, ensuring it wouldn’t interfere with the hatchling’s development. The device was then attached using a special adhesive. This ensured the device would stay on the hatchling’s carapace for several months. The research revealed significant variation among the hatchlings fitted with the devices. The monitoring showed that some hatchlings could migrate up to 100 miles in 7 days—an astonishing fact for such a small creature in the harsh ocean. However, it is important to note that the hatchlings do not actually swim that far. The hatchlings were found to have a passive swimming style, meaning they swim away from the island or beach where they hatched, and quickly enter ocean currents, “resting” there and drifting along with the current wherever it takes them. It’s important to emphasize that this discovery revealed that hatchlings do not swim in circles around the beach, but instead have already begun their long journey from the moment they enter the water.
