Main Content
Largest of the hard-shelled turtles, the endangered loggerhead sea turtle can be found in all but the coldest ocean waters.
Photograph by Brian J. Skerry
Map
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Range
Fast Facts
- Type:
- Reptile
- Diet:
- Carnivore
- Average life span in the wild:
- More than 50 years
- Size:
- 36 in (90 cm)
- Weight:
- 253 lbs (115 kg)
- Group name:
- Flotilla
- Protection status:
- Endangered
- Did you know?
- Sea turtles can move through the water at speeds of up to 15 mi (24 km) per hour.
- Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
-
Loggerhead turtles are the most abundant of all the marine turtle species in U.S. waters. But persistent population declines due to pollution, shrimp trawling, and development in their nesting areas, among other factors, have kept this wide-ranging seagoer on the threatened species list since 1978.
Their enormous range encompasses all but the most frigid waters of the world's oceans. They seem to prefer coastal habitats, but often frequent inland water bodies and will travel hundreds of miles out to sea.
The largest of all hard-shelled turtles—leatherbacks are bigger but have soft shells—loggerheads have massive heads, strong jaws, and a reddish-brown shell, or carapace. Adult males reach about three feet (nearly one meter) in shell length and weigh about 250 pounds (113 kilograms), but large specimens of more than 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) have been found.
They are primarily carnivores, munching jellyfish, conchs, crabs, and even fish, but will eat seaweed and sargassum occasionally.
Mature females will often return, sometimes over thousands of miles, to the beach where they hatched to lay their eggs. Worldwide population numbers are unknown, but scientists studying nesting populations are seeing marked decreases despite endangered species protections.
Related Galleries
Reptile Features
-
King Crocs
The reptiles were once on top of the world. Why did they fall? Find out in this National Geographic magazine feature.
-
King Cobra
Come eye-to-eye with the king cobra, the longest venomous snake in the world. Learn why it is the reptile of choice for exotic snake charmers.
-
Boy Croc Meets Girl Croc
With snout-rubbing and bubble-blowing, two amorous saltwater crocodiles get cuddly.
-
Meller's Chameleon
Learn why this reptile, nicknamed the "giant one-horned chameleon," changes colors. It's not what you think.
-
Black Mamba vs. Animal Kingdom
It's not a drink or a dance. It's only the black mamba, Africa's longest and the world's fastest snake. Oh, and one of the most poisonous too.
This requires the latest version of Flash Player. Click here to download.Advertisement
Special Ad Section
-
Audio Slideshow
Take a photographic journey through Montana and hear Annie Griffiths Belt's narrative.
-
Adventure Videos
Check out adventure videos and go "Behind the Lens."
Shop Animals and Nature
-
Animal & Nature DVDs
Shop our store for a wide collection of animal, wildlife, and nature DVDs.
-
2010 Animal & Nature Calendars
Featuring stunning National Geographic photography, calendars make great gifts.
Blogs
-
NatGeo NewsWatch
Keep current on developments in science, nature, and cultures.
-
Dog Whisperer
Get the inside story as Cesar Millan helps problem dogs and their owners.
-
BlogWild
National Geographic explorers share tales (and photos) of their adventures.
