David Porter’s Post

Tui De Roy brings us a new selection of images featuring Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles, the smallest and most critically endangered of all sea turtle species. These animals have a remarkable story of resilience centered around Rancho Nuevo Beach in Tamaulipas, Mexico. This stretch of sand serves as the primary nesting ground for the entire species. After a devastating decline in the mid-20th century, the Atlantic Ridley population faced near extinction. Scientists estimate that as many as 40,000 females nested there in a single day in 1947, but over-harvesting of eggs and other threats drastically reduced their numbers. Intensive conservation efforts have become a beacon of hope for these turtles. Thanks to protected nesting beaches, bi-national conservation partnerships (between Mexico and the United States), and the reduction of bycatch in fishing gear, this sea turtle population is slowly but steadily recovering. While many dangers still exist, the increasing population trend and inspiring commitment to their survival offer a brighter future for this charismatic marine reptile. #naturephotography #seaturtle #stockphotography #wildlife

glimpse of my hobby..... The curlews are one of the most widespread and far-travelling of all the bird families — and also one of the most threatened. It seems that wherever they roam, habitat loss and human encroachment follows. We can’t let the Far Eastern Curlew go the same way as its fellows. The Numeniini — a tribe of large waders including curlews and godwits — is one of the most threatened bird groups on the planet. The once-abundant Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis of the Americas is now considered Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct), having last been spotted with certainty in the 1960s. But the plight of the Numeniini also extends over the Atlantic into the Old World. Here, the extensive drainage of wetlands across the Mediterranean and North Africa — important wintering grounds for many migratory birds across the African-Eurasian Flyway — has rendered another species, the Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris, missing in action for almost a quarter of a century. Reference Warren, C. ( 2017) BirdLife Australia, Curlew crisis deepens: vital Australian wetlands under threat, Available from: www.birdlife.org, accessed on 04 November 2017

Let's meet Cayman’s sensational snakes! Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac Blind Snake There are two native species of blind snake in the Cayman Islands, one on the Brac and the other in Grand Cayman. They are the smallest native snake species, growing no longer than a pencil, and are harmless to pets and people. Blind snakes are almost never seen by people (haha!) as they live mostly underground in coastal environments and rarely come above ground. They are beneficial to the ecosystem in two main ways: 1) their digging aerates the soil which helps plants grow, and 2) they eat insects such as ants and termites, which can cause damage to both forests and houses in large numbers. Not to be confused with the invasive blind snake who we'll meet next week... #SensationalSnakes #CaymanBlindSnake #CaymanConservation #KnowYourNatives

STARFISH - REGENERATE LIMBS ⭐️ The spiny starfish (Marthasterias glacialis) is a captivating marine creature with fascinating features. This echinoderm boasts five arms covered in sharp, spiky spines, which serve as a defense mechanism against predators. Surprisingly, they have the ability to regenerate lost limbs, making them exceptional survivors. These starfish possess tiny suction-cup-like structures, called tube feet, which aid in locomotion and capturing prey. While they predominantly feed on mollusks, they have been known to eat other starfish too! Found in the rocky intertidal zones of the UK, spiny starfish play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of their marine habitats. 👇 Read the full article here:https://lnkd.in/eG5kKSMM #nationalmarineweek2024 #nationalmarineweek #MarineWeek #cornwallwildlife #saveourseas #protectouroceans #plasticfreeoceans #oceanconservation #marineconservation #healthyseas #saveourocean #marinephotography #marinewildlife #seawildlife #marinecreatures #underwaterphotos #starfish

Rising seas are hammering the barrier islands, salt marshes, and maritime forests that protect lives, property, and rare species along the Atlantic seaboard. A recent series of studies by USFWS and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) show that Southeastern coasts are succumbing to sea level rise. At places like Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, residents who have lived in the area for decades are witnessing the disappearance of important sea turtle nesting and migratory bird habitat. The seas off Cape Romain have risen one foot over the last half century. There’s little to no accretion, or buildup of sediment to counter the rising waters. One of the sea level-vegetation studies shows that the refuge’s salt marshes are gaining less than a millimeter of elevation (sediment mostly) each year – not enough to keep up with rising waters. Check out the comments to learn more about this story and solutions that are being implemented to help protect the habitat that protects us. Photo of beach erosion at Bulls Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge by Steve Hillebrand/USFWS

🦈 500 year old Greenland shark - longest living vertebrate know on earth. #Sharks have been on this planet for a seriously long time, circa 450 million years 🤯 which is hard to even imagine. On land, animal longevity champions include tortoise's 🐢 with some species thought to reach around 250 years, with humans regularly breaking the 100 years mark. Closely followed by some parrots 🦜 that can reach around 100. Both owls 🦉 and elephants 🐘 regularly reach 70-80 years old. However the vast majority of the longest lived species are found below the surface of our seas 🌊. Many cetacean species from blue to humpbacks 🐳whale and orca to fin #whale 🐋 are consistently recorded living from 70-100 years and bowhead whales that can each be swimming the #ocean for over 200 years. Rockfish and Koi have individuals also passing 200 years. Why does this even matter?? Humans, as a species that can choose to have either an upgrading or downgrading impact on the world around us, need to make sure we think way beyond our own timeline, considering multiple lifespans and generations. Thinking in hundreds of years is not something that comes easily too most, so let's channel our inner Greenland #shark and truly think long-term for #biodiversity. How can we develop some principles to help think super long-term for #nature and guide nature recovery over this time scale??? 👇 add thoughts and ideas below 👇 https://lnkd.in/eRGhVzPa

⭐️Species Spotlight: Peale’s Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis) Meet the Peale’s Dolphin, an enchanting marine mammal known for its striking appearance and playful demeanor. Found primarily in the cold, coastal waters of South America, particularly around the southern tip of the continent, these dolphins captivate observers with their unique characteristics. We were luckily enough to see these beautiful dolphins on our recent leg 11 of our global journey. 🌊 Social Butterflies: Peale’s Dolphins are highly social beings, often forming tight-knit pods of 2 to 10 individuals, though larger gatherings aren’t uncommon. They communicate through a variety of clicks, whistles, and body language. 🐟 Clever Hunters: Peale’s Dolphins are skilled hunters. They feed on a diverse diet of fish, squid, and crustaceans, using clever techniques like herding fish into tight groups before launching coordinated attacks. 🏝️ Coastal Dwellers: You’ll typically find these dolphins cruising the coastal waters of South America, particularly around the southern tip of the continent. Their range extends from Chile to Argentina, where they thrive in cold, nutrient-rich seas. 🚨 Conservation Concerns: Despite their playful nature, Peale’s Dolphins face serious threats. These include entanglement in fishing gear, habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and disturbance from maritime traffic. But there’s hope! By raising awareness, supporting marine protected areas, and advocating for sustainable fishing practices, we can ensure a brighter future for Peale’s Dolphins and the oceans they call home. 📸 @tomdixonfilm #darwim200 #oosterschelde #MarineConservation #ProtectOurOceans #pealesdolphins #speciesspotlight #animals

Epic Ecosystems: Pacific Northwest These varied ecosystems are also home to some of the most iconic species on the planet such as whales, salmon, eagles and bears. The humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual (a member of the family Balaenopteridae) and is the only species in the genus Megaptera. Adults range in length from 14–17 m (46–56 ft) and weigh up to 40 metric tons (44 short tons). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and tubercles on its head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song typically lasting 4 to 33 minutes. Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 16,000 km (9,900 mi) each year. They feed in polar waters and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish, and they use bubbles to catch prey. They are promiscuous breeders, with both sexes having multiple partners. Orcas are the main natural predators of humpback whales. Like other large whales, the humpback was a target for the whaling industry. Humans once hunted the species to the brink of extinction; its population fell to around 5,000 by the 1960s. Numbers have partially recovered to some 135,000 animals worldwide, while entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution continue to affect the species.

Did you know today is #WorldSeagrassDay? 🌊 🌱 Seagrass is a vital habitat for Seahorse's, who use these underwater forests as their home. You can learn more about seahorse's in this BBC Wildlife Magazine interview with our client Neil, from the Seahorse Trust 👇 https://lnkd.in/gsQYhTu4

Tortoises *Types of Turtles:* 1. Sea turtles (7 species) 2. Land turtles (Tortoises, 300+ species) 3. Freshwater turtles (200+ species) *Physical Characteristics:* 1. Shell: Protective, bony plates (scutes) on carapace (back) and plastron (belly) 2. Flippers (sea turtles) or legs (land turtles) 3. Long neck, tail 4. Varieties of colors, patterns *Habitat and Behavior:* 1. Oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, wetlands 2. Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores 3. Social animals, often solitary 4. Migration patterns (sea turtles) *Interesting Facts:* 1. Longest-lived vertebrates (up to 188 years) 2. Largest turtle: Leatherback Sea Turtle (up to 2 meters, 900 kg) 3. Smallest turtle: Speckled Padloper (4 cm, 5 grams) 4. Turtles have an innate navigation system *Conservation Status:* 1. Many species endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, pollution 2. Sea turtles threatened by plastic pollution, climate change *Care and Feeding:* 1. Proper diet (varies by species) 2. Adequate lighting, temperature 3. Clean, spacious enclosures 4. Regular veterinary check-ups