In some species of reptiles, gender is determined by the temperature at which the egg is incubated. Warmer temperatures often produce more females, while cooler temperatures produce males, and because of this, scientists believe that global warming could have a major impact on the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles by changing its natural sex ratio.

Researchers at Sea Life Park, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Alabama have been studying how temperature affects gender determination of Hawaiian green sea turtles as they develop in their eggs. "With the results of this research, we will be able to predict with quite a bit of accuracy how weather patterns impact the reproductive colonies (of the sea turtle)," according to Renato Lenzi, general manager of Sea Life Park.

In order to determine how temperature affects sex determination in the animals, about 250 sea turtle eggs at Sea Life Park were harvested and divided among three incubators set at different temperatures. The researchers will then use a harmless surgical procedure to check the sex of each individual turtle. Scientists will insert a tiny micro-laparoscope — the size of a strand of hair — into each turtles' sex organ to identify its gender.

The data will help researchers predict how climate changes will affect the sea turtle population years from now and how conservation organizations can address the possibility of gender imbalance.