Chelonibia testudinaria barnacle on turtle shell
Some Barnacles Can Move Around to Improve Feeding Position
The Scientist spoke with marine biologist and barnacle researcher John Zardus about why turtle barnacles—previously thought to be immobile—in fact slowly travel. He thinks the answer is food.
ABOVE: INATURALIST Quentin Groom
Some Barnacles Can Move Around to Improve Feeding Position
Some Barnacles Can Move Around to Improve Feeding Position

The Scientist spoke with marine biologist and barnacle researcher John Zardus about why turtle barnacles—previously thought to be immobile—in fact slowly travel. He thinks the answer is food.

The Scientist spoke with marine biologist and barnacle researcher John Zardus about why turtle barnacles—previously thought to be immobile—in fact slowly travel. He thinks the answer is food.

ABOVE: INATURALIST Quentin Groom
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Three researchers with headlamps on stand around a loggerhead turtle on the beach while a man covers the turtle's face with a gloved hand
Tiny Hitchhikers Reveal Turtles’ Movements and Foraging Ecology
Amanda Heidt | Jul 13, 2021
Microscopic creatures called epibionts that live on sea turtles’ shells can help researchers understand their secretive lives.
Image of the Day: Rescued Hatchlings
Amy Schleunes | Mar 27, 2020
Ten endangered Manning River turtles were saved from flooding in New South Wales, Australia, following devastating fires on the country’s east coast.
Photos of the Year
Emily Makowski | Dec 26, 2019
From bubbling plants to endangered whales, here are some amazing images from The Scientist in 2019.
chinese pond turtle embryo temperature-dependent sex climate change
Turtle Embryos May Have a Say in Deciding Their Sex
Katarina Zimmer | Aug 1, 2019
In a species of freshwater turtle, embryos can move toward warmer or cooler environments within the egg and thus help choose their sexual destiny, but not all experts are convinced.
Image of The Day: Open-and-Shut Case
Catherine Offord | Oct 4, 2018
A special hinge joint allows some turtle species to close and open their shells.
Herpetologists’ League Revokes Distinguished Herpetologist Award
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jul 16, 2018
Richard Vogt, this year’s awardee, showed inappropriate images of researchers in the field during his acceptance speech.
Image of the Day: Sea Turtle Rescue
The Scientist Staff, The Scientist Staff | Feb 7, 2018
Biologists in Florida rounded up more than 1,000 sea turtles when they were threatened by a cold snap in January.
Rising Temperatures and the Elimination of Male Turtles
Ruth Williams | Jan 10, 2018
The near-complete feminization of northern Great Barrier Reef sea turtles has been blamed on climate change.
Image of the Day: Boxes of Turtles
The Scientist Staff | Jul 5, 2017
Warm hues of yellow, gold, and orange form unique, colorful patterns on each Eastern box turtle’s carapace.
Image of the Day: Snapper Still Life
The Scientist Staff | May 17, 2017
An eastern snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), known for its formidable jaw, sits motionlessly. 
Turtle Magnetism
Jenny Rood | Jan 19, 2015
Loggerhead sea turtles use the Earth’s magnetic fields to find their way home.
Tracking Troubles
Abby Olena | Nov 1, 2013
Researchers show that tagging marine animals could disrupt their ability to live normal lives.
Behavior Brief
Chris Palmer | Jul 8, 2013
A round-up of recent discoveries in behavior research
Genome Digest
Dan Cossins | May 7, 2013
What researchers are learning as they sequence, map, and decode species’ genomes
Behavior Brief
Dan Cossins | Nov 7, 2012
A round-up of recent discoveries in behavior research
Dolled-Up Turtles
Jef Akst | Nov 1, 2012
Borrowing techniques from nail and hair salons, researchers have devised a method to tag small, previously untrackable sea turtles.
Turtles and Fingertips
Jef Akst | Oct 31, 2012
Beauty salon technologies help researchers tag and follow young sea turtles like never before.