By Annemarie Kramer
Latin name:
Caretta caretta
Geographic Area:
Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean
Weight:
Up to 100 kg (220 lbs)
Size:
Up to 110 cm (3.5 ft)
Distribution:
The loggerhead turtle lives in subtropical and temperate zones of the ocean; in the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The turtles often migrate over wide distances between their feeding and nesting areas.
This species prefers to stay around sandy reefs and shallow bays which are inhabited by crabs and other molluscs.
Nesting behavior:
The female turtle lays her eggs approximately every three years. She chooses the same beach where she was born and comes ashore at night. She then excavates an egg chamber and lays an average of 112 eggs. After two weeks she can lay eggs again, up to four times in one nesting season. The eggs of the turtle look like ping pong balls, but they are softer. After mating and nesting, the turtles swim back to their feeding grounds. When hatching, after two months, the small turtles are 5 cm (2 inch) in length and completely developed. Where the young turtles go and what they do until reaching sexual maturity is unknown. Scientists suspect that they spend that time in ocean currents far away from the coast and stay in places like the Sargassum Sea, where they find shelter and food.
Only years later, after they have reached a carapace length between 40 and 50 cm (15 – 20 inch) or 7 to 10 years of age; in Australia between 70 and 80 cm (27 - 31 inch), or ten years of age, they come back to the coastal feeding grounds, start mating and nesting. In some cases it can take over 20 years until a turtle reaches adulthood and can reproduce.
Food sources:
The loggerhead turtle primarily feeds on other animals. They have very strong jaws which they use to break open crabs and snails, but they also feed on jellyfish, anemons and fishes. Their food source can vary with the season and the geographical area where the turtles are.
Peculiarity:
The loggerhead turtle probably moves among different feeding grounds and does not stay in the same area. They usually stay close to the shore.
Literatur:
Lutz, P. L. & J. A. Musick (Hrsg.), 1997. The Biology of Sea Turtles. 432 Seiten. CRC Press. Boca raton, London, New York, Washington, D.C.
Lutz, P. L., J. A. Musick & J. Wyneken (Hrsg.), 2003. The Biology of Sea Turtles. Volume II. 455 Seiten. CRC Press. Boca raton, London, New York, Washington, D.C. |