Chelonia (Caouanna) cephalo — Cocteau in Cocteau & Bibron in de la Sagra, 1838
Halichelys atra — Fitzinger, 1843
Caounana caretta — Gray, 1844
Caouana elongata Gray, 1844
Thalassochelys caouana — Agassiz, 1857
Thalassochelys corticata Girard, 1858
Chelonia corticata — Strauch, 1862
Thalassochelys elongata Strauch, 1862
Thalassochelys caouana Nardo, 1864
Eremonia elongata — Gray, 1873
Caretta caretta — Stejneger, 1873
Thalassochelys cephalo — Barbour & Cole, 1906
Caretta caretta caretta — Mertens & L. Müller, 1928
Caretta gigas Deraniyagala, 1933
Caretta caretta gigas — Deraniyagala, 1939
Caretta caretta tarapacana Caldwell, 1962
Chelonia cahuano — Tamayo, 1962
Caretta careta [sic] Tamayo, 1962 (ex errore)[4]
Genus synonymy
Caretta Rafinesque, 1814
Caretta (Thalassochelys) Fitzinger, 1835
Thalassochelys Bonaparte, 1838
Caouana Cocteau in de la Sagra, 1838
Halichelys Fitzinger, 1843
Eremonia Gray, 1873
?Pliochelys Portis, 1890
?Proganosaurus Portis, 1890[5]
The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a species of oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around 90 cm (35 in) in carapace length when fully grown. The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 135 kg (298 lb), with the largest specimens weighing in at more than 450 kg (1,000 lb). The skin ranges from yellow to brown in color, and the shell is typically reddish brown. No external differences in sex are seen until the turtle becomes an adult, the most obvious difference being the adult males have thicker tails and shorter plastrons (lower shells) than the females.
The loggerhead sea turtle is found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It spends most of its life in saltwater and estuarine habitats, with females briefly coming ashore to lay eggs. The loggerhead sea turtle has a low reproductive rate; females lay an average of four egg clutches and then become quiescent, producing no eggs for two to three years. The loggerhead reaches sexual maturity within 17–33 years and has a lifespan of 47–67 years.
The 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 to terrestrial organisms. Once the turtles reach adulthood, their formidable size limits predation to large marine animals, such as large sharks.
The loggerhead sea turtle is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In total, 9 distinct population segments are under the protection of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, with 4 population segments classified as "threatened" and 5 classified as "endangered"[6]
Commercial international trade of loggerheads or derived products is prohibited by CITES Appendix I.
Untended fishing gear is responsible for many loggerhead deaths. The greatest threat is loss of nesting habitat due to coastal development, predation of nests, and human disturbances (such as coastal lighting and housing developments) that cause disorientations during the emergence of hatchlings.[7] Turtles may also suffocate if they are trapped in fishing trawls. Turtle excluder devices have been implemented in efforts to reduce mortality by providing an escape route for the turtles. Loss of suitable nesting beaches and the introduction of exotic predators have also taken a toll on loggerhead populations. Efforts to restore their numbers will require international cooperation, since the turtles roam vast areas of ocean and critical nesting beaches are scattered across several countries.
^Cite error: The named reference spotila59 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Casale, P.; Tucker, A.D. (2017). "Caretta caretta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T3897A119333622. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T3897A119333622.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
The loggerheadseaturtle (Caretta caretta) is a species of oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family...
species of seaturtles are the flatback, green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and olive ridley. Six of the seven seaturtle species...
identified. Some such as the green seaturtle shuttle between nesting sites and coastal foraging areas. The loggerheadseaturtle uses a series of foraging sites...
green seaturtle (Chelonia mydas), also known as the green turtle, black (sea) turtle or Pacific green turtle, is a species of large seaturtle of the...
therefore many drown once caught. Loggerhead and hawksbill turtles are particularly vulnerable. Nearly all species of seaturtle are classified as Endangered...
The hawksbill seaturtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered seaturtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species...
GTCP is to identify, monitor and protect the nesting beaches of loggerheadseaturtles (Caretta caretta) found at two locations on the Gnaraloo coastline...
The olive ridley seaturtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), also known commonly as the Pacific ridley seaturtle, is a species of turtle in the family Cheloniidae...
The Australian flatback seaturtle (Natator depressus) is a species of seaturtle in the family Cheloniidae. The species is endemic to the sandy beaches...
the habitat of the loggerheadseaturtle (Caretta caretta). It is the first national park established for the protection of seaturtles in the Mediterranean...
leatherback seaturtle (Dermochelys coriacea), sometimes called the lute turtle, leathery turtle or simply the luth, is the largest of all living turtles and...
known as "the loggerhead snapper" (not to be confused with the loggerheadseaturtle or loggerhead musk turtle). The alligator snapping turtle is found primarily...
England Loggerhead Park, a 17-acre recreational area in Juno Beach, Florida with a beach Loggerheadseaturtle, the seaturtle Caretta caretta Loggerhead musk...
The loggerhead musk turtle (Sternotherus minor) is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. This turtle has a large head which has a light-colored...
in the diet of the green turtle. The diets of the hawksbill seaturtle, loggerheadseaturtle, and Kemp's ridley seaturtle species have also been affected...
of eggs and hatchlings of Western Australian seaturtles, particularly the Endangered loggerheadseaturtle (Caretta caretta) which has one of the largest...
on the nearby İztuzu Beach, a breeding ground for the endangered loggerheadseaturtle species. The incident created major international storm when David...
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