Turtle Tears: Sea Turtle Conservation from Brazil to Florida's Gulf Coast

Welcome Dr. Armando Santos from the FSU Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science to our SciSalon@BT! Marine biologist Armando Barsante Santos has spent more than 25 years working with sea turtles, from conservation efforts in Brazil to current research in Florida’s Gulf Coast. In this SciSalon, he will share field stories, introduce sea turtle ecology, and discuss how boat traffic and other human activities affect turtles in local waters. He will also highlight the Boaters for Turtles campaign and simple ways people can help reduce risks to sea turtles. Regarding the talk’s title: in addition to their kidneys, sea turtles eliminate excess marine salt through specialized glands located near their eyes. This can make them look like they are crying. These secretions may also help rinse sand from their eyes while females dig their nests.