Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtles are known for their distinctive, large heads and strong jaws, which they use to crush the shells of their favorite prey: horseshoe crabs. They have a reddish-brown carapace (upper shell) with a yellowish-brown plastron (lower shell), and can grow up to 3 feet in length and weigh between 200-350 pounds. These sea turtles are found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean, but also in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They prefer warm, shallow waters near coastlines and around islands, including bays, lagoons, and estuaries. Loggerhead Sea Turtles are a vulnerable species due to threats such as habitat loss, bycatch in fishing gear, and climate change. As part of the sea turtle family, they share many characteristics with other members of this group, including aquatic habitats, egg-laying on beaches, and long migrations between feeding and nesting grounds.