The sex of the hatchling is determined by the temperature of the sand the egg is in. If the temperature is below 84 degrees F (29 degrees C) the hatchling will be male. If the temperature is above, it will be female.

Baby Flatback Sea Turtle is a little project you can make when you have an itch to whip up something cute, but quick. It’s also a great way to use up scraps of leftover yarn.

The body and legs are worked in the round, and the carapace is worked flat and seamed to the body. Your little friend will be about 2.5 inches long and 3 inches wide when it’s completed.

Learn more about this wonderful animal and 24 others when you read the pages of a naturalist as she travels the world, documenting the animals she sees, and designing knitting patterns for each one. This book was a collaboration with my children who did the artwork.