The Zoospecies · habitats · children's zoo · care
Catalog · Reptilia · Testudines · Cheloniidae · Turtles and salamanders
Zoology of the ZooPl. CLXXXIII

Loggerhead sea turtle

Caretta caretta
Reptilia · Testudines · Cheloniidae
Fig. 1. Loggerhead sea turtle
Fig. 2. Range
North AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAfricaAsiaAustraliaAntarcticarange, sketched
Length or heightShell about 85-110 cm
WeightAbout 80-200 kg
FoodCrabs, conchs, jellyfish
LifespanAbout 50-70 years (est.)
SocietySolitary; females return to their home beach
Habitatmarine, coastal
RangeNorth America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia
Wild or tameWild

Most loggerhead nesting in the United States happens on Florida beaches, including Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key near Bradenton. Hatchlings follow the brightest horizon to the sea, so beach lights lead them astray.

Observe: On nesting beaches, turn lights off and keep 30 m from turtles.

Modern data

Status today

VUVulnerable Threatened (Northwest Atlantic population) status to verify
ConservationVulnerable; federally threatened in the Northwest Atlantic.
Keeper's noteDaily checks of appetite, movement and behavior; enrichment that changes from day to day.
Kingdom · phylumAnimalia · Chordata
GenusCaretta

Check the record: IUCN Red List · GBIF

See it elsewhere in the museum

Same order: Testudines

Green sea turtle

Chelonia mydas
LCLeast concern

Alligator snapping turtle

Macrochelys temminckii
VUVulnerable

Common snapping turtle

Chelydra serpentina
LCLeast concern

Suwannee alligator snapping turtle

Macrochelys suwanniensis
NENot evaluated