Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are named for their overly large heads with heavy, strong jaws that allow them to crush hard-shelled prey. Loggerhead turtles live in oceans all over the world, apart from the very coldest oceans in the north and south pole.
These turtles can migrate more than 9,000 miles from where they hatch. Luckily, they are less likely to be hunted for their meat or shell compared to other sea turtles. That said, all sea turtles are at risk from many other threats in their natural habitats.
Fun facts about loggerhead turtles:
- Female turtles lay their eggs on the same beach in which they themselves hatched, it’s ingrained in their memory
- Loggerheads are the largest of all hard shelled turtles
- Loggerheads can live to be up to 80 years in the wild
- Loggerheads love to eat molluscs, crabs and jellyfish
Type
Reptile
What do they eat?
Crustaceans, fish, jellyfish, shrimp, sponges, and seagrasses
Size
90cm
Water Type
Temperate and tropical saltwater
Where are we?
Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and in the Mediterranean Sea