LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE

Physical Appearance

The amazing Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) can have a shell as long as 2.7 m (9 ft) and weigh 454 kg (1,000 lbs.)!! However, on average the loggerhead turtle is 90 cm (3 ft) long and 136 kg (300lbs) in weight.Loggerheads have large heads because they have large jaw closing muscles, allowing them to have an extremely powerful and crushing bite. They are reddish-brown in colour with olive and yellow colour tinges on their body and shell.

Feeding Habits

These sea turtles are mainly carnivores and eat sponges, jellyfish, mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp, and horseshoe crabs. It is the powerful jaws of loggerheads that allow them to easily crush the hard shells of their prey. Loggerheads can actually come in contact with the deadly tentacles of the Portuguese-man-of-war and remain unharmed!

Current Status and Threats

Atlantic loggerhead turtles are considered threatened in the United States. The largest population, of about 15,0000 loggerhead turtles, is in the Greater Antilles and the eastern United States. However, the Carolinas record a three percent decrease in the occurrence of C. caretta each year. Here are some reasons for their declining populations:

Habitat Loss due to human coastal development is one of the main reasons for their declining numbers. In fact, the nesting habitat of all species of sea turtles is disturbed or destroyed by humans.

Pollution from human garbage and effluents can have devastating effects on sea turtles. Garbage, such as plastics bags, can be mistaken by a sea turtle for a jellyfish and eating plastic is deadly because it can suffocate the turtles or the plastic can get stuck in their digestive tract.

Accidental Capture in Shrimp Trawls and Fishing Lines

Nest Robbing by humans and predators, such as raccoons, make the life of a sea turtle difficult before they are even born.

Artificial Light on coasts from cities cause disorientation of nesting females and hatchlings trying to find their way to the sea.