Marine turtles might not look like voracious killers, but some turtle species are actually
important predators that help
to
keep
ocean food chains healthy.
For example, hawksbill turtles eat lots of sea sponges, which would otherwise out-compete
reef-building
corals.
So
the
turtles help to protect the coral reefs, which are crucial for the survival of many other creatures.
The leatherback turtle is a big eater of jellyfish, which helps stop jellyfish depleting fish stocks – which
benefits
other animals in the food chain, as well as people.