was far less mysterious, but no less sobering. It was a dead sea turtle in an advanced stage of decomposition. As sea turtles break down, gases produced during decomposition can cause the body to swell dramatically. The skin loosens, tissues begin to collapse, and parts of the shell or limbs may separate, leaving the animal looking almost unrecognizable. What appeared to be something bizarre or unnatural was simply the result of natural biological processes. Although unsettling to witness, this transformation is a normal part of decomposition in marine environments.
Standing
