Temperature profiling and sex ratios of green turtle hatchlings (Chelonia Mydas) of Chagar Hutang beach in Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

A study of sand temperatures and an analysis of sex ratios were conducted in Chagar Hutang in 1995 to determine the temperature regime of the beach and the sex ratio of the green turtle hatchlings that would have been produced from nests deposited in this beach. The beach was divided into two thermal zones, the'Shade* zone which was located 2 metres from vegetation and the 'Open beach' zone which was located between the 'Shade' zone and the high tide mark. Average temperatures of the whole study period in the open zone which were higher exceeded those in the shaded zone by not more than 1.39°C.