ANALYSIS OF POSSIBILITY OF FEEDING OF LOG GERHEAD TURTLES DURING INTERNESTING PERIODS BASED ON STOMACH TEMPERATURE-MEASUREMENTS

The presence of feeding was examined in loggerhead turtles during inte rnesting periods from 1989 through 1993 off southern Japan using the T ime Temperature Recorder (TTR). The TTR was inserted into the stomach and temperature data were obtained from the nine free-ranging female l oggerheads. The patterns of temperature fluctuation which consisted of a rapid drop and subsequent gradual rise were recorded in the stomach temperature data. This typical pattern proved to be caused by drinkin g or feeding. The pattern counted 5 to 19 times in the first 24 hours after nesting and decreased afterwards gradually. The loggerheads seem ed to drink sea water just after nesting and not to feed during intern esting periods.