Sea turtles are subject to many and varied natural causes of death:

• 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, crabs and other animals.
• Hatchlings die in the hot sun if they emerge from their nest during day time.
• Hatchlings are prey for by sharks and fish.
• Adults turtles are eaten by sharks and crocodiles.
• Females get stranded on beaches when they come ashore to nest.
• Turtles fall prey to parasites and diseases.
• Turtles die of old age and injuries.

Despite these obstacles turtles have thrived in the oceans for millennia. Today however the threats posed by humans make their long-term survival uncertain.