After recently visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland Australia, we were inspired to research Sea Turtles. 

Did you know there are only 7 Sea Turtle species in the world?

We have illustrated each of the species in hopes it may inspire you to learn more about these amazing creatures and the conservation efforts that are currently underway for each of them. 

Currently all but the Flatback species of turtle are listed on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species and as such could do with learning more about them and what we can do to help them.

• Loggerhead turtle - Population trend was decreasing when assessed in 2015 and was listed at Vulnerable level.
• Green turtle - Population trend was decreasing when assessed in 2004 and was listed at Endangered level.
• Leatherback turtle - Population trend was decreasing when assessed in 2013 and was listed at Vulnerable level.
• Hawksbill turtle - Population trend was decreasing when assessed in 2008 and was listed at Critically Endangered level.
• Kemp’s Ridley turtle - Population trend was decreasing when assessed in 2019 and was listed at Critically Endangered level.
  
• Olive Ridley turtle - Population trend was decreasing when assessed in 2008 and was listed at Vulnerable level.
• Flatback turtle - Population trend was unknown when assessed in 1996 and not enough data has been collected to know what threat category level it might be at.

Click the link to download this colouring activity from  Planet Designs Kids Free Downloads on our website.

You can expand this colouring activity further by researching the following questions:

• Where in the world can you find each species of turtle?
• What is the population of each species of sea turtle?
• Why are most of the sea turtle species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species?
• What human made threats do these turtles have?
• What are their natural predators?
• What are their life spans?
• What do they eat?
• How far do they travel?
• Where do they lay their eggs, in the sea or on land?
• Other than their shell pattern, what other characteristics help us to identify what species a sea turtle is?

To download or print using the above link: 

* Planet Designs Kids Free Downloads (on our website) - click the “Planet Designs Kids Free Downloads” link and it will take you to the free downloads page on our website. Put in your email address and you’ll have free access to all of our free colouring activities. Click “Continue”, then on the page you want click “Download”, and it will then be saved in your downloads folder where you can print it.

We hope you enjoy this free educational resource.