Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta Caretta)
The loggerhead sea turtle is a large reddish-brown sea turtle with a disproportionately large head. Adult loggerheads range in
size from 0.85-1.0 meters (33-40 inches) shell length and weight between
68-182 kilograms (150-400 pounds). Loggerhead sea turtles are the most common
sea turtle encountered in the southeastern U.S., and are frequently observed
around wrecks, underwater structures, and reefs, where they forage on a
variety of crabs, jellyfish and mollusks. The most significant threats to
loggerheads are coastal development, commercial fisheries, and pollution. In
addition, loggerhead turtles are often captured incidental to shrimp trawling.
Shrimping is thought to have played a significant role in the population
declines observed for this species.
ESA Status: Threatened
To report a sea turtle sighting, stranding or death
please call our hotline: 1-800-628-9944
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Photo Courtesy of John White