Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Species Description

Weight: Adult: 250 pounds (113 kg)
Hatchling: 0.05 pounds (20 g)
Length: Adult: 3 feet (~1 m)
Hatchling: 2 inches (4 cm)
Appearance: reddish-brown, slightly heart-shaped top shell (“carapace”) with pale yellowish bottom shell (“plastron”); hatchlings are brown to dark gray
Lifespan: unknown, but they reach sexual maturity at around 35 years old
Diet: whelks and conch
Behavior: females nest from April-September and generally lay 3-5 nests per season

Loggerheads were named for their relatively large heads, which support powerful jaws and enable them to feed on hard-shelled prey, such as whelks and conch. The top shell (carapace) is slightly heart-shaped and reddish-brown in adults and sub-adults, while the bottom shell (plastron) is generally a pale yellowish color. The neck and flippers are usually dull brown to reddish brown on top and medium to pale yellow on the sides and bottom.

Habitat

Loggerheads occupy three different ecosystems during their lives:

  • beaches (terrestrial zone)
  • water (oceanic zone)
  • nearshore coastal areas (“neritic” zone)

more at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/loggerhead.htm

TiagoEskimo

About TiagoEskimo

Tiago is Skipper, Photographer and Videographer at TERRA AZUL. Everyday he looks out for everyone's safety onboard, and ensures that animal conservation standards and legislation are met during outings.

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