Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Ale RodriguezMarine Science

Scientific ClassificationKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaSubclass: AnapsidaOrder: TestudinesSuperfamily: ChelonioideaFamily: CheloniidaeGenus: CarettaSpecies: Caretta caretta

About the Loggerhead Sea TurtleLoggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

The average loggerhead measures around 90cm long when fully grown.

The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 298 lb.

The skin ranges from yellow to brown in color, and the shell is typically reddish-brown.

HabitatLoggerhead sea turtles spend most of their lives in the open ocean and in shallow coastal waters. They rarely come ashore, with the exception of the females' brief visits to construct nests and deposit eggs. Hatchling loggerhead turtles live in floating mats of Sargassum algae. Adults and juveniles live along the continental shelf, as well as in shallow coastal estuaries. Loggerheads occupy waters with surface temperatures ranging from 56-82°F Juvenile loggerheads share the Sargassum habitat with a variety of other organisms.

Habitat

Feeding & PredatorsThe loggerhead sea turtle is omnivorous, feeding mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Its large and powerful jaws serve as an effective tool for dismantling its prey. Young loggerheads are exploited by numerous predators; the eggs are especially vulnerable. Once the turtles reach adulthood, their size limits predation to large marine animals, such as sharks.

http://www.arkive.org/loggerhead-turtle/caretta-caretta/video-08c.html