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Loggerhead sea turtle
Photo: ukanda, CC BY 2.0

Türkiye · Reptile

Loggerhead sea turtle

Caretta caretta

Also known as Caretta caretta, it is the best-known sea turtle nesting on Türkiye's Aegean and Mediterranean beaches. Its big head and strong jaws crack open crabs and shellfish.

Where it lives
Warm seas worldwide; in Türkiye, the beaches of Dalyan, Patara and Belek
Diet
CarnivoreEats meat
Weight
80–200 kg
Length
90 cm
Lifespan (wild)
50–65 years

In Pawpedia: What is a reptile?What is a carnivore?

Yaman scale

Drawn side by side with Yaman, to the same scale.

It would take about 2 of them to match Yaman's height (length 90 cm). Length Yaman · 1.5 m Loggerhead sea turtle · 90 cm
Length2×= 1 Yaman

It would take about 2 of them to match Yaman's height (length 90 cm).

Weight4Yamans

Around 140 kg — as heavy as 4 Yamans.

Common questions

Where does the loggerhead sea turtle live?

Warm seas worldwide; in Türkiye, the beaches of Dalyan, Patara and Belek. In our zoo it lives in the Türkiye zone.

What does the loggerhead sea turtle eat?

It is a carnivore: it eats meat.

How big does the loggerhead sea turtle get?

Length: 90 cm. It weighs 80–200 kg.

How long does the loggerhead sea turtle live?

50–65 years in the wild.

Is the loggerhead sea turtle endangered?

On the IUCN Red List it is listed as vulnerable. Numbers are falling; it will be in danger without protection.

Got another question? Ask Yaman

Did you know?

  • Females come ashore on summer nights and lay about 100 eggs in the sand.
  • Hatchlings come out at night and head for the glow of the sea — bright beach lights confuse them.
  • İztuzu Beach in Muğla is one of the most famous beaches protected for them.

How safe is it?

  1. LC
  2. NT
  3. VU
  4. EN
  5. CR
  6. EW
  7. EX

Vulnerable. Numbers are falling; it will be in danger without protection.

IUCN Red List

How can you help these animals?

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