1. Nesting: Sea turtles are reptiles and lay their eggs on land. Female sea turtles emerge from the ocean and crawl onto beaches to find suitable nesting sites. They dig nests in the sand and deposit their eggs, which are covered and left to incubate until they hatch.
2. Mating: Sea turtles also come ashore to mate. During the mating season, male and female sea turtles gather in specific areas of the ocean known as mating grounds. They engage in courtship rituals and mating behavior before the females return to shore to lay their eggs.
3. Resting and basking: Sea turtles spend long periods in the ocean and need to come ashore to rest and bask in the sun. They emerge from the water and haul out on beaches or rocky shores, where they can regulate their body temperature and replenish their energy stores. Basking in the sun helps sea turtles absorb heat, which is important for their metabolism and overall well-being.
4. Avoiding predators: While in the ocean, sea turtles are vulnerable to various predators, such as sharks, killer whales, and large fish. Coming ashore allows them to escape from these predators and find temporary refuge on land. Being on land also helps sea turtles avoid disturbances from human activities, such as boat traffic and fishing gear.
5. Feeding: Some sea turtle species, particularly herbivorous ones, may come ashore to feed on plants and vegetation that are not readily available in their ocean habitats. These turtles are known to venture into estuaries, salt marshes, and other coastal areas to find suitable food sources.