Sea turtles under threat from warming seas and hotter beaches, research suggests

Sea turtles are unlikely to be able to change their nesting behaviour enough to mitigate the effects of higher sea surface temperatures, according to a new study. Photograph: Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images

Warming seas will likely threaten sea turtle survival even if the animals lay their eggs at cooler times of year to adapt to climate change, new research suggests.

Modelling by Australian scientists at Deakin University has found that marine turtles are unlikely to be able to change their nesting behaviour enough to mitigate the effects of higher sea surface temperatures.