Tiny Backpacks Reveal How Turtle Hatchlings Navigate Sand

New research using accelerometers shows hatchlings 'swim' upwards, offering insights for conservation.

Scientists attached miniature accelerometers to turtle hatchlings to study their movements underground.
Findings indicate that hatchlings 'swim' rather than dig through the sand, maintaining a consistent head-up orientation.
The study was conducted on Heron Island, a key nesting site for green turtles in the Great Barrier Reef.
Hatchlings move primarily at night as they approach the surface, likely to avoid predators.
These insights could inform better conservation practices, particularly in nest relocation and management.