The loggerhead turtle

loggerhead turtle

Scientific name	Caretta caretta
Descriptor	Linnaeus
Year of description	1758
IUCN category (World)	VU
Family	Cheloniidae
Genus	Caretta

Introduction

Caretta caretta, commonly known as loggerhead turtle, is a salt water reptile.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Type

Turtle
Size

95 - 150 cm
Weight

100 - 250 kg
Mimicry

rocky bottoms
Longevity

60 year

Type

Turtle
Size

95 - 150 cm
Weight

100 - 250 kg
Mimicry

rocky bottoms
Longevity

60 year

How to recognize the loggerhead turtle ?

The loggerhead turtle measures around 95 cm. The females are more imposing and some specimens can reach 150 cm. This reptile is tricolore with a predominantly marron body.

Sexual dimorphism

The female is bigger than the male.

Behaviour & Life cycle

Sociability

solitary
Way of living

diurnal
Venomous

No
Diet

predator

The loggerhead turtle is a reptile solitary naturally found close to the surface. This species is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency .

Although slightly territorial, the loggerhead turtle is a rather peaceful animal that generally behaves in a peaceful manner with other species.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare qui enfouit ses œufs
Migratory species

Yes
Clutch size

60 - 200 eggs

The loggerhead turtle is a reptile ovipare qui enfouit ses œufs.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Origin

Bay of Bengal Gulf of Mexico Persian Gulf Great Barrier Reef mer d'Oman East China Sea Tasman Sea Philippine Sea Sea of Japan Mediterranean Sea Red Sea South East Asian Seas Indonesian seas Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean Eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean western Indian Ocean Tropical Eastern Pacific Western Tropical Pacific Ocean

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : VU

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Temperature

13 - 28 °C
Depth

0 - 50 m
Flow

Slow

Biotope presentation

The loggerhead turtle is most often found at a depth between 0m and 50m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Théo Guillaume

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.