Caretta-Caretta

Caretta-caretta (longerhead sea turtle) The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), or loggerhead,appeared about 40 million years ago and is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world.The average loggerhead measures around 90 centimeters long. The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 135 kilograms.The skin ranges from yellow to brown in color, and the shell is typically reddish-brown.

Adult sea turtle

Living The loggerhead sea turtle is found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea.It can remain under water for about seven hours and it comes above to breathe because it has lungs.It spends most of its life in salt water with females briefly coming ashore to lay eggs.Females lay an average of four egg clutches and then they produce no eggs for two to three years.The loggerhead reaches a lifespan of 47–67 years.

Baby sea turtles

Caretta-Caretta as a Symbol The loggerhead sea turtle is the official state reptile of South Carolina and also the state saltwater reptile of Florida.

Hi everybody! I'm the sea turtle.

Diet The loggerhead sea turtle is omnivorous i.e. eats almost everything.Its large and powerful jaws serve as an effective tool for dismantling its prey.It also eats jellyfish especially when it migrates to warmer places.

Threats Loggerheads are considered an endangered species and are protected by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Fishing is responsible for many loggerhead deaths.Turtles may also suffocate if they are trapped in fishing nets or if they eat plastic bags.Loss of suitable nesting beaches and predators are threatening sea turtles.

Baby sea-turtle

Greece as a Nesting site Greece is the most popular nesting site along the Mediterranean, with more than 3,000 nests per year. Because of this, Greek authorities do not allow planes to take off or land at night in Zakynthos island due to the nesting turtles.

Caretta-caretta

Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI7kDbC9QMM&feature=player_embedded http://www.arkive.org/loggerhead-turtle/caretta-caretta/video-03.html