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IV. Senses.
A. Hearing.
Like other reptiles, the sea turtle ear has a single bone in the middle ear that conducts vibrations to the inner ear. Researchers have found that sea turtles respond to low frequency sounds and vibrations.
B. Eyesight.
1. Sea turtles can see well under water but are shortsighted in the air.
2. Under experimental condititons, loggerhead and green sea turtle hatchlings exhibited a preference for near-ultraviolet, violet, and blue-green light.
C. Tactile.
A sea turtle is sensitive to touch on the soft parts of its flippers and on its shell.
D. Taste.
Little is known about a sea turtle's sense of taste.
E. Smell.
1. Most researchers believe that sea turtles have an acute sense of smell in the water. Experiments show that hatchlings react to the scent of shrimp. This adaptation allows sea turtles to locate food in murky water.
2. Sea turtles open their mouths slightly and draw in water through the nose, then immediately empty it out again throught the mouth. Pulsating movements of the throat are thought to be associated with smelling.
