Why do sea turtles, penguins and sharks sometimes just swim in circles or spirals?

Certain loops are easier to explain, but others are just baffling

green sea turtle swimming

The green sea turtle (one shown) is one of 10 marine species that at times start swimming in circles or spirals. Researchers have notions of what might be going on but some sea spinning is hard for humans to understand.

Nicole McLachlan/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Marine science has its own crop circle mysteries.