大象传媒

A study of turtles in Cape Verde has found that 70% of the eggs in Loggerhead nests left to develop naturally are born female.

While for mammals, genetics decide the sex of the offspring, for some reptiles it's determined by incubation temperatures - meaning warming temperatures could have a massive impact on the future of already threatened species.

A team led by Dr Leo Clarke, a marine biologist at the University of Bangor, tested two techniques aimed at cooling the nests, either splitting them up or shading them. Both dramatically reduced the numbers of females born - with just 45% being female in the split nests - much closer to the ideal of 50/50.

He said reburying the nests is simple, cheap, and the mothers were completely unbothered.

"They come out of the sea and find a suitable nesting spot... and once they start laying their eggs in the nest they're pretty much in a catatonic state."

(Photo: Baby turtle hatching from egg. Credit: Getty Images)