Sea turtle

Disposition

In merfolk society, Sea Turtles are admired for their patience, tolerance and diligent work. The females especially are resilient and hard labourers, the menfolk although also capable of exceptional tolerance are prone to bouts of jealousy. Beware that should other merfolk push their luck and harass these gentle creatures, both sexes have been known to become prejudiced and vindictive given the right opportunity.

Physiology

The defining features of Sea turtles are their hard shells and scaled flippers and heads. Unlike their land cousins they do not have the ability withdraw their limbs or head into their shell, favouring the ability to easily swim through water though they are not know as fast swimmers. Their front flippers are used to propel them through water while their hind flippers are used as rudders for steering.

Sea turtles are able to sense touch on their shells although not pain. Their backs are known as the carapace while the belly as the plastron. The Turtle's shells are covered by scutes, layers of certain. The specific pattern of which may vary from species to species. See the image for specificities on the naming of Scutes.

Because of the high intake of salt through their diets sea turtles have glands by their eyes that recreate salt water which might sometimes be misinterpreted as tears. Although merfolk of the sea turtle veriety seldom have these glands they have still be known for shedding so called crocodile tears.

Sea turtles have good eyesight although may be a bit nearsighted on land. their sense of smell is keen and and they have a magnetic sense which functions as an inner compass capable of distinguish the planets longitudes and latitudes.

Mating

Females and males sea turtle creatures are distinguished by the females short- and the mail's long tails.

While mating the male will attach himself to the females shell. Hooking specialised long claws on the flippers over the females carapace edge which may even pierce the softer skin below, and hooking his tail beneath the the females shell. The males penis which may be as long as half the length of his shell, will extend from his cloaca (a multi purpose opening) and attempt to penetrate the female in hers.

The females will mostly ignore the male during this period and will swim to the surface to breath on both of their behalf. Her job may become laborious and dangerous if other males catch sight or scent of her, for their jealousy will flare up and they will attempt to dislodge the male through fair or foul means for their own turn.

Environment

Sea turtles dwell mostly in warm waters in the the sunlight zone. They play an important role in the sea, often eating things which few other sea creatures don't, such as seaweed and jelly fish. Through their effort they control the Jellyfish population and keep the sewed beds healthy which are important for the livelihoods of many sea-creatures.