Loggerhead

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a large marine turtle in the family Cheloniidae, found in warm temperate and tropical seas worldwide. The name derives from its relatively large head, which supports strong jaws used to crush hard-shelled prey.

Adults typically weigh 100–160 kg, with some individuals exceeding 200 kg; the carapace can reach about 1 meter in length. The shell is typically reddish-brown to yellowish, and the head is noticeably large compared with other sea turtles.

Loggerheads occur in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, including the Mediterranean. They nest on sandy beaches, often far from their feeding areas, and undertake long migratory journeys between foraging grounds and nesting sites. Major nesting populations are found along the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, parts of the Mediterranean, and coastal regions of Asia and Australia.

Reproduction and development: females reach sexual maturity around 20–30 years and nest every 2–3 years, laying clutches of 50–200 eggs. Incubation typically lasts about 60 days and is influenced by nest temperature, which also biases the sex ratio.

Diet and ecology: loggerheads are omnivorous as juveniles but increasingly crustaceans and mollusks as adults. They play a role in controlling invertebrate populations on coral reefs and seafloors, while their eggs and hatchlings are preyed upon by many predators.

Conservation: globally listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with regional populations facing higher threats. Principal dangers include bycatch in fisheries, loss and degradation of nesting beaches, coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Conservation programs include protective legislation, bycatch reduction measures, nest monitoring, and rehabilitation of injured turtles.