What if...

[Vicious_Fish]

I agree with Coura in that it would be very hard on the turtle's kidneys. Aquatic animals have evolved an osmotic balance that allows them to keep their internal salinity constant whether it be by retaining (freshwater) or excreting (marine) salt.

Yep! That's the main problem. They haven't the ability to regulate the salinity levels after evolving to live in oceans for millions of years.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Actualy fresh water is used to treat parasitic desiases in sea turtles Most sea turts tolerate fresh water in the short term. There is even rumors that some have been kept this way for years in roadside zoos But their health would be probably compromised specialy their kidneys, but really the true awnser is that this question is pretty much unawsered. Could they adapt to live in hard fresh water? Very likely. They arent as delicate as marine fish for that matter

Coura, any links about the above mentioned rumors?

 

[coura]

Coura, any links about the above mentioned rumors?

Links no, books yes They are called I think:"The biology of sea turtles" There is part 1 and 2. Dont remenbar the autors, they are sitting in the library of my university. When I go there, as Im corrently on vacasion, I will make some notes about the titles and autors. The keep in fresh water thing for years is stuff I have hearded here and there, the rest is from thouse books

 

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I agree with Coura in that it would be very hard on the turtle's kidneys. Aquatic animals have evolved an osmotic balance that allows them to keep their internal salinity constant whether it be by retaining (freshwater) or excreting (marine) salt.

I think Dan got it right on.