Amazing Animals: Loggerhead Turtles

Amazing Animals: Loggerhead Turtles

Bible Blast: Read Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Loggerheads are a type of sea turtle, so they have flippers instead of feet—perfect for living in the ocean. They live in the warmer ocean waters all over the world, including off the coasts of the United States. Just a few weeks ago, my husband and I were out in the ocean, and I saw several of these amazing creatures.

When Mama Loggerhead is ready to lay her eggs, she actually leaves the water and scoots up onto a beach. The mother loggerhead digs a hole and very carefully lays as many as one hundred eggs in it.

After Mama Loggerhead buries her eggs, she heads back out to the ocean. In about sixty days, something amazing happens when the sun goes down. Those babies—who won’t be burned by the hot rays or nabbed by predators—peck their way out of their eggs. Then they dig their way up to the surface and head toward the ocean. Now remember, these little guys are tiny. They would fit in the palm of your hand. And they don’t have feet made for walking on land. Traveling any distance with their little flippers is quite a chore. If you get a chance, go online and check out a video of little loggerheads making their way to the ocean. It’s pretty cute.

My question has always been, how do the baby loggerheads know which way is the ocean? Loggerheads naturally head toward the brightest light on the horizon, and because of the water’s reflection, it’s almost always where they head.

Once the baby loggerheads get in the ocean, you can just imagine them breathing a huge sigh of relief like, “Whew! I made it! I didn’t get eaten by a seagull or crab, and I went in the right direction! Now I’m just going to float and rest because my little flippers are pooped!”

If you think about it, we’re kind of like those baby loggerheads, and Jesus is like the ocean. When he said, “Come to me, and I’ll give you rest,” he knew that we would have to keep focused on his “light” as we scurry toward his safe arms.

Girl Gab: If you can, check out an online clip of the baby loggerheads making their way to the ocean after they hatch. Today, if you’re feeling tired or bummed out about something, take it to Jesus in prayer.