Sea turtles have always been subject to natural causes of death, and today they face many such hazards:

• Nests and nesting sites are destroyed by cyclones and tropical storms.
• Eggs are eaten by lizards and crabs.
• Not all eggs hatch.
• Hatchlings are eaten as they scamper down to the sea, by birds.
• Many hatchlings die in the hot sun as they make their way to the sea.
• In the water, hatchlings are eaten by sharks and fish.
• Adults are eaten by sharks and crocodiles.
• Adult females can get stranded on beaches when they come ashore to nest.
• They can fall prey to parasites and diseases.
• They also die of old age and injuries.

Despite these obstacles they have thrived in the oceans for millennia. However, the threats posed by increased human activity now make their long-term survival uncertain.