Galápagos sea turtles show unexpected preference for staying near home

A new study published in Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science reveals unexpected movement patterns among the yellow morphotype of green sea turtles in the Galápagos Islands. Researchers tracked nine turtles via satellite for up to 418 days, finding that most individuals prefer to stay close to home.

While sea turtles are typically known for long-distance migrations across the Pacific to reproduce, five of the tracked turtles remained within the waters of a single island throughout the study. Others moved between two or three islands, but primarily during the colder months. Scientists noted that while these turtles may undertake long journeys every few years, they spend much of their lives occupying individual feeding areas near specific islands.