Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Subclass: Anapsida Order: Testudines Family: Cheloniidae Genus: Caretta Rafinesque, 1814 Species: C. caretta
Binomial name
Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) is a sea turtle and the only member of the genus Caretta. The genus name "Caretta" is a latinization of the French "caret", meaning turtle, tortoise, or sea turtle^[1]. Image File history File links Close-up of a loggerhead sea turtle. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn2. ... The Siberian Tiger, a subspecies of tiger. ... The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... “Animalia” redirects here. ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Subclasses Anapsida Diapsida Synonyms Reptilia Laurenti, 1768 Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane, and members of the class Sauropsida. ... Orders Testudines (Turtles) Millerettid - extinct Nyctiphruret - extinct Pareiasaur - extinct Procolophonoid - extinct The anapsids are a group of amniotes, characterized by skulls without openings near the temples. ... Families See text Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudinata, most of whose body is shielded by a special bony shell developed from their ribs. ... Genera Caretta Lepidochelys Chelonia Eretmochelys Natator Dermochelys Sea turtles are large, ocean-dwelling turtles. ... C. S. Rafinesque Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz (October 22, 1783-September 18, 1840) was a nineteenth-century polymath who led a chaotic life. ... Year 1814 (MDCCCXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal system of naming species. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Genera Family Cheloniidae (Oppel, 1811) Caretta Chelonia Eretmochelys Lepidochelys Natator Family Dermochelyidae Dermochelys Family Protostegidae (extinct) Family Toxochelyidae (extinct) Family Thalassemyidae (extinct) Sea turtles (Chelonioidea) are turtles found in all the worlds oceans except the Arctic Ocean, and some species travel between oceans. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ...

Anatomy and morphology

Caretta caretta is characterized by a large head with blunt jaws. It is also identifiable by the five scutes along the middle of the carapace. Adults grow to an average weight of about 200 pounds (about 100 kg), and can reach 1m in length. Human jaw front view Human jaw left view Human jaw top view The jaw is either of the two opposable structures forming, or near the entrance to, the mouth. ... The term carapace refers to a dorsal section of an exoskeleton or shell, in a number of animal groups. ...

Ecology and life history

The species feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and other marine animals, which they crush with their large and powerful jaw. As with other sea turtles, females return to lay their eggs on or near the same beach where they hatched. Unlike other sea turtles, courtship and mating usually do not take place near the nesting beach, but rather along the migration routes between feeding and breeding grounds. Classes Caudofoveata Aplacophora Polyplacophora Monoplacophora Bivalvia Scaphopoda Gastropoda Cephalopoda † Rostroconchia The mollusks or molluscs are the large and diverse phylum Mollusca, which includes a variety of familiar creatures well-known for their decorative shells or as seafood. ... Classes & Subclasses Branchiopoda Phyllopoda Sarsostraca Remipedia Cephalocarida Maxillopoda Thecostraca Tantulocarida Branchiura Pentastomida Mystacocarida Copepoda Ostracoda Myodocopa Podocopa Malacostraca Phyllocarida Hoplocarida Eumalacostraca The nauplius larva of a dendrobranchiate Porcellio scaber, the common rough woodlouse, a terrestrial crustacean Pollicipes polymerus, the gooseneck barnacle Glyphea pseudastacus, a fossil glypheoid The crustaceans (Crustacea) are... A giant grouper at the Georgia Aquarium Fish are aquatic vertebrates that are typically cold-blooded; covered with scales, and equipped with two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins. ... Genera Caretta Lepidochelys Chelonia Eretmochelys Natator Dermochelys Sea turtles are large, ocean-dwelling turtles. ...

Baby Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle laying eggs.

In the Mediterranean, Loggerheads mate from late March to early June. The female nesting season is at its peak in June and July, but this depends on the nesting beach. The clutch may vary from 100 to 126 eggs. Each egg is about the size and shape of a ping-pong ball. The average interval between nesting seasons is two to three years. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ...

Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle to nest in the United States. With the largest concentration of nests in south Florida they nest from Texas to Virginia, requiring soft sandy beaches, where there is little light. After approximately 60 days, the hatchlings emerge usually at night when protection from predation is greater. Usually following the brightest light to the oceans edge, an artificial light, such as from a home can lead them astray. Once in the ocean they use ocean currents to travel to the Sargasso Sea using the Sargassum as protection until they mature^{[citation needed]}. Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... This article contains a trivia section. ... An ocean current is any more or less permanent or continuous, directed movement of ocean water that flows in one of the Earths oceans. ... An image of the distribution and size of eel larvae shows the approximate location of the Sargasso Sea. ... Species Sargassum bacciferum, aka. ...

An alternative to migration for many loggerheads is hibernation to varying degrees as the water cools. By February they are submerged for up to seven hours at a time, emerging for only seven minutes to recover. Although outdone by freshwater turtles, these are the longest recorded dives for any air-breathing marine vertebrate^[2]. This article refers to the process of hibernation in biology. ... Classes and Clades See below Male and female Superb Fairy-wren Vertebrates are members of the subphylum Vertebrata (within the phylum Chordata), specifically, those chordates with backbones or spinal columns. ...

Most loggerheads that reach adulthood live for longer than 30 years, and can often live past 50 years. They are immune to the toxins of a Portuguese Man O' War as the turtles have often been seen feeding on them. This article is about the marine invertebrate. ...

Taxonomic history

Two subspecies are recognized: Caretta caretta gigas, is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and C. caretta caretta, the Atlantic loggerhead, also found in south Italy and the Greek islands of Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Crete and the Peloponese and in Dalyan in southwestern Turkey. (see article; June Haimoff). The Atlantic Ocean forms a component of the all-encompassing World Ocean and is directly linked to the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean. ... Zakynthos (Greek: Ζάκυνθος), the third largest of the Ionian Islands, covers an area of 410 square kilometers and its coastline is roughly 123 kilometers in length. ... Kefalonia, also known as Cephallenia, Cephallania, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia (Ancient Greek: Κεφαλληνία; Modern Greek: Κεφαλλονιά or Κεφαλονιά ), is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece with an area of 350 sq. ... 1- The tiny town of Dalyan in the province of Mugla on the South-Western Mediterranean is set in the centre of a broad delta whose natural beauty is completely unspoilt. ... Kaptan June and the Dalyan Turtles June Haimoff is an English environmentalist who settled in Dalyan in southwestern Turkey (Muğla Province) after her retirement and has launched a successful campaign for the conservation of unique logger head sea turtles Caretta caretta which lay their eggs in the İztuzu Beach...

Conservation

Loggerhead Sea Turtle escapes from fishing net through a TED (Turtle Excluder Device).

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle was once intensively hunted for their meat and eggs, along with their fat which was used in cosmetics and medication. As a result both subspecies are now internationally protected. Today the main threat to the adult loggerheads lies in the fishing nets of crabfishers, to which many loggerheads annually fall victim. Furthermore, adults are often injured by speedboat propellers and by swallowing fishing hooks or getting caught in nets. Internationally animal protection organizations take pains to monitor and protect the turtles' nesting grounds in Turkey,^[3] Greece, Bonaire and Costa Rica. The turtles can also be found around the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Linosa, off the coast of Sicily, and in Calabria, where it is particularly endangered. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... A Turtle Excluder Device allows a turtle to excape from a shrimp otter trawl net. ... Kinnikuman character, see Meat Alexandria. ... In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... Look up fat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Cosmetic. ... It has been suggested that Blockbuster drug be merged into this article or section. ... Fishing with a cast net. ... Anthem: Tera di Solo y suave biento Capital (and largest city) Kralendijk Official languages Dutch Government See Politics of the Netherlands Antilles  - Bonaire Administrator  - Governor of N.A. Frits Goedgedrag Constitutional monarchy part of the Netherlands Antilles  Area  - Total 288 km² 111 sq mi  Population  - 2001 census 10,791  - Density... The Mediterranean island of Lampedusa ( ) is the largest of the Pelagie Islands and is situated 205 km from Sicily and 113 km from Tunisia. ... Linosa is a Mediterranean island and one of the small Pelagie Islands which are part of the province of Agrigento, Italy. ... Cliffside dwellings in Tropea. ...

In Georgia, during the nesting season workers search the coastline to find evidence of nests. Once found a nest will be uncovered and the eggs carefully counted, if the nest is dangerously located the eggs will be moved to a better spot. Plastic fencing will be placed at or near the surface to protect the eggs from large predators such as raccoons or even dogs. The barrier used is large enough to allow the hatchlings to emerge without difficulty. The nests are checked daily for disturbances, several days after there is indication that the eggs have hatched the nest will be uncovered and the tally of hatched eggs, undeveloped eggs, and dead hatchlings will be recorded. If any hatchlings are found these are either taken to be raised and released or for research facilities, if they appear strong and healthy they may also be released to the ocean. Typically those who lacked the strength to hatch and climb to the surface by that point would have died otherwise. For the animated television series see The Raccoons Binomial name Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) The Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor), often just called the Raccoon, is a mammal native to America. ...

If you see a hatchling do not attempt to assist it by moving it to the water's edge. They need that travel to warm their muscles for the long journey ahead. If you really want to assist just quietly follow and prevent any birds or crabs from grabbing it before it can get to the water.

References

1. ^ http://www.widecast.org/sea/definitions.cfm
2. ^ Hochscheid, S., F. Bentivegna & G.C. Hays. (2005) "First records of dive durations for a hibernating sea turtle." Biol. Lett. 1(1): 82-6.
3. ^ Loggerhead Turtles in the Dalyan River, Mulğa Province, Turkey, 2004. seaturtle.org. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.

• Marine Turtle Specialist Group (1996). Caretta caretta. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is endangered and the criteria used
• Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Reptiles

There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ...

See also

• Chelonioidea. The sea turtle superfamily.

• Chelonia mydas. The green sea turtle.

• Dermochelys coriacea. The leatherback turtle.

• Eretmochelys imbricata. The hawksbill turtle.

• Lepidochelys kempii. The Kemp's Ridley turtle.

• Lepidochelys olivacea. The olive ridley turtle.

• Natator depressus. The flatback turtle.

Genera Family Cheloniidae (Oppel, 1811) Caretta Lepidochelys Chelonia Eretmochelys Natator Family Dermochelyidae Family Protostegidae (extinct) Family Toxochelyidae (extinct) Family Thalassemyidae (extinct) Sea turtles (Chelonioidea) are turtles found in all the worlds oceans with the exception of the Arctic Ocean, and some species travel between oceans. ... Genera Family Cheloniidae (Oppel, 1811) Caretta Chelonia Eretmochelys Lepidochelys Natator Family Dermochelyidae Dermochelys Family Protostegidae (extinct) Family Toxochelyidae (extinct) Family Thalassemyidae (extinct) Sea turtles (Chelonioidea) are turtles found in all the worlds oceans except the Arctic Ocean, and some species travel between oceans. ... Binomial name Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a large sea turtle, the only member of the genus Chelonia (Brongniart, 1800). ... Binomial name Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) This page redirects from Chelonia, which is the genus name of this turtle, but has also been used for the order Testudines of all turtles and tortoises. ... Binomial name Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761) The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the biggest of all turtles alive, reaching a length of 2 metres and a weight of up to 1300 lb (600 kg). ... Binomial name Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761) The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the biggest of all turtles alive, reaching a length of 2 m (6. ... Binomial name Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) The Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a sea turtle that is distinguished by the following characteristics. ... Binomial name Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus, 1766 Range of the Hawksbill turtle subspecies Eretmochelys imbricata bissa (Rüppell, 1835) Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) Synonyms Eretmochelys imbricata squamata junior synonym The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. ... Binomial name Lepidochelys kempii (Garman, 1880) Kemps Ridley (Lepiochelys kempii) is a critically endangered species of sea turtle. ... {{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Kemps Ridley | status = CR | stat | image = kempsridley. ... Binomial name Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) The Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. ... Binomial name Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) The Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. ... Binomial name Natator depressus (Garman, 1880) The Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus) is a sea turtle endemic to the continental shelf of Australia. ... Binomial name Natator depressus (Garman, 1880) The Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus) is a sea turtle endemic to the continental shelf of Australia. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Loggerhead turtle

• SWOT Report, volume 2 - Featuring the loggerhead nesting beaches of the world along with the most up-to-date information on the global status of loggerhead populations, conservation and natural history.
• ARKive - images and movies of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
• Loggerhead Sea Turtle
• Katelios Turtle Group, Kefalonia
• Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece (Archelon)
• Florida Sea Turtle information Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
• Tybee Island, GA Sea Turtle Project
• Go Zakynthos about Caretta Turtle

Caretta caretta skull. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1296x864, 352 KB) Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) Photo taken by User:Strobilomyces (me) at Océanopolis, Brest, France on 17th April 2006 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1296x864, 352 KB) Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) Photo taken by User:Strobilomyces (me) at Océanopolis, Brest, France on 17th April 2006 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 550 pixel Image in higher resolution (914 × 628 pixel, file size: 50 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photo by David Stang. ...