Pollution
Hatchlings are especially vulnerable to pollution in the seas as they can get infected easily. Oil spills are a large factor in death-by-pollution, though other toxic chemicals are not to be overlooked. These pollutants can kill turtles through direct contact or build up in the turtles' flesh, eventually killing the turtle through disease. Toxic material has already been absorbed by the food turtles eat in the ocean, killing turtles indirectly. Sometimes turtles even accidently eat trash such as plastic bags or soda rings. They can get stuck in trash as well, and sometimes turtles are killed because they have a soda ring around their necks which can strangle them or stunt their growth.
Lighting
Sea turtle hatchlings are attracted by light because their genetic programming tells the juvenile turtles to head towards the moon, which is above the sea. However, human civilization near beaches can confuse the baby turtles, causing them to follow the man-made lights to roads, where they can be run over by buses and other vehicles. Sometimes cars produce the light, and people holding flashlights can also lead baby turtles astray from the path to the sea. Hotels often install themselves by the sea to attract customers with a waterfront view which makes them one of the lead causes. Artificial lights can also disturb nesting females, which causes them to not lay eggs.
Poaching
Many cultures consider turtle eggs to be a delicious delicacy. This can be seen in Central America, where the poaching rate for eggs is almost always 100% on unprotected beaches. Dogs, cats, raccoons, and other animals will also sometimes eat the turtle eggs and kill the mothers. A single dog can clear out several nests on a beach in one night. The shells of turtles and their skin are also used by many cultures for decoration and jewelry. This is largely because turtles are believed to have medicinal properties, though truthfully they can contain poison. With the increase of tourism, many restaurants near nesting beaches will sell turtle eggs as delicious delicacies. Poachers often kill nesting mothers which are vulnerable and clumsy on land and steal all thier eggs.
Others
- Fishing nets can accidently scoop up turtles.
- People on beaches can scare nesting turtles away.
- Climate change can cause coastal habitats to wear away as sea levels rise.