News Animals

Sea turtles may confuse the smell of ocean plastic with food

The reptiles respond to both scents by sniffing more, a key foraging behavior

Loggerhead sea turtles respond similarly to the smell of ocean plastic and food. As plastic waste continues to accumulate in the oceans, this behavior could prove dangerous for sea turtles.

Funtay/iStock/Getty Images Plus

By Jonathan Lambert

- More than 2 years ago

To a sea turtle, plastic debris might smell like dinner.