Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta

By: Taylor Conwell

Physical Appearance

• Weight: 170-350 pounds

• Length: 31-45 inches

• Reddish brown coloration

Habitat

BEACHESWATER

COASTAL AREASESTUARIES

Loggerhead Sea Turtles are found in every ocean

in the world.

Population

• between 47,000 and 90,000 nests each year over the past two decade

• It is difficult to find population numbers for sea turtles because male and juvenile sea turtles do not return to shore once they hatch and reach the ocean, which makes it hard to keep track of them.

Diet - Carnivore• Welks

• Conches

• Jellyfish

• Sponges

• Sea urchins

Reproduction - Nesting• 2-4 years apart

• 3-6 nests per season– Approximately 12-14 days

apart

• Average of 100-126 eggs per nest

• Eggs incubate for about 60 days

Threatened since……July 28, 1978.

• United States Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species List

• The Loggerhead is endangered due to over-hunting and habitat destruction.

Threats

• Incidental capture in fishing gear, primarily in longlines and gillnets

• Trawls, traps, pots, and dredges

• Directed harvest

Conservation Efforts

•Loggerhead Sea turtle nest roped off as part of the Sea Turtle Protection Project on Hilton Head Island

Predators•Horned Ghost Crab

•Snakes

•Bears

•Red fox

•Killer whales

• Rats

•Armadillos

•Cats

Interesting Facts!

• The loggerhead is the only living species in the genus Caretta.

• Lifespan is estimated to be 50 years or more.

• Loggerhead sea turtles aren’t known for being social creatures, however they do travel in a pack.

Which of these is not a habitat of a Loggerhead Sea Turtle?

A) Beaches

B) Nearshore Coastal Areas

C) Estuaries

D) Small Ponds

Which of the following are not considered part of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle?

A) Welks

B) Conches

C) Jellyfish

D) Penguins

TRUE/FALSE:

Sea turtles can swim up to 15 miles per hour.

What is the scientific name of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle?

A) castor canadensis

B) caretta caretta

C) Lynx rufus

D) Nasua narica

What year was the Loggerhead Sea Turtle listed as “Threatened”?

Works Cited

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/loggerhead-sea-turtle/

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/loggerhead.htm

http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=163

http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/seaturtles/turtle%20factsheets/loggerhead-sea-turtle.htm

http://www.neaq.org/animals_and_exhibits/animals/loggerhead_sea_turtle/

http://www.conserveturtles.org/seaturtleinformation.php?page=loggerhead