DIVE LOG Australasia

Above: Divers often have wonderful and intimate interactions with ‘wild’ turtles. This female was snoozing on the sand in Komodo. A Maori wrasse was groomong it. I lay down near the turtle and closed my eyes imitating my snoozing face. The turtle was content to go back to snoozing showing complete trust and absolutely no fear.

Above: Once you become familiar with the basic configuration of scutes on a turtle’s shell, you can make solid observations. This one has four main costal scutes on its right side and five on the left costal. It is safe to assume that the scute pattern is somewhat like fingerprints and can help to recognise individuals over time.

It is interesting to compare Green turtles from Rajah Ampat. Note the colour of its scutes, the side panels.

Above: Turtles are ectothermic. Like Koalas with a low metabolism, they need a lot of rest to conserve energy.

Some turtles actively seek out the company of divers. Do they feel protection from predators or are they simply friendly to divers? Capricorn Bunker Group near Lady Elliot Island.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #408 - October ‘24