Loggerhead sea turtles are some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Unfortunately, like many sea turtle species, loggerheads are endangered. Learning more about these beautiful animals can help people understand them better, which can lead to better protection practices in the future.
One interesting fact about loggerhead sea turtles is that they are the largest of the soft shelled sea turtle species. Only the soft shelled leatherback turtle reaches a greater size. Loggerhead turtles generally have a shell that is about three feet long and usually weight about 250 pounds. However, much larger loggerheads have been reported.
Another fascinating thing about these turtles is how large their natural habitat range is. Loggerhead sea turtles can be found in nearly all parts of the world. The only places they do not frequent are those oceans and seas that have freezing temperatures. Although they can be found around the globe, these turtles are most commonly spotted off the coast of the United States. Their largest populations are in the waters between North Carolina and Florida. These turtles are also common near Central and South America, as well as around the Mediterranean Sea and the Western coast of Africa.
Loggerhead sea turtles also have a varied diet that corresponds to their varied habitats. These turtles are largely carnivorous, meaning they eat meaty foods. The turtles’ long, sharp beaks, for which they are named, allow them to capture food easily and also aid them in cracking through tough shells. These turtles often consume foods such as crabs, jellyfish, clams, fish and squid. In addition to meaty items, loggerheads will also occasionally eat seaweed.
One of the most intriguing facts about loggerheads is how they nest. These turtles spend almost their entire lives in the water. Only females come onto dry land every two to three years. After mating, female turtles travel thousands of miles to return to the beach where they themselves hatched. Once there, they drag themselves onto the land, dig a nest and lay their eggs, starting the cycle all over again.
Loggerhead sea turtles live for a long time. After they reach maturity, their strong shells protect them from predators. Healthy adult turtles can live for fifty years or more in the wild. However, pollution, destruction of natural habitats and shrimp trawling has led to a decrease in the loggerhead population over the last thirty years.
