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Tammy Turtle was published in cooperation with the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, the non-profit support group for Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges in North Carolina. Tammy is a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Loggerheads are among the six species of Atlantic sea turtles. All six are classified as endangered or threatened. A mature loggerhead turtle produces two to four nests of 75 to 150 eggs each in a nesting season occurring every 2-3 years. Adult sea turtles have almost no natural enemies. However, young sea turtles fall prey to many things. Fewer than 1 in 100 turtle hatchlings survive to reach adulthood. In the United States, loss of nesting habitat and predation of eggs are among the major threats to the species. In Tammy Turtle, plastic litter is the symbol for humans' negative effects on turtles. Litter was chosen because children can relate to litter and can do something about it. We have purposely represented Helpful Humans as employees and volunteers for conservation agencies. Since all sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act, only 'official' humans may work with them.
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