Endemic
Geographic Range
Australian continental shelf only
80 kg
Average Weight
Smooth, flat-domed shell
No Pelagic Phase
Life History
Remains in shallow shelf waters
Data Deficient
IUCN Status
Australian statutory protection
Biological Profile & Identification
The Flatback Sea Turtle (Natator depressus) is unique among marine turtles as the only species with a geographic range strictly confined to a single continental shelf: the northern waters of Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. Unlike other turtles whose hatchlings spend years adrift in open pelagic oceans, Flatback hatchlings remain entirely in shallow coastal waters throughout their entire lifecycle.
Key Anatomical Characteristics
- Flat Low-Domed Carapace: Smooth, flattened shell with upturned edges, olive-grey with a pale cream-yellow underside.
- Thin Waxy Scutes: Scutes are very thin and easily scratched compared to the thick keratin of Green or Loggerhead turtles.
- Single Claw per Flipper: Paddle-shaped flippers with a single distinct claw.
Top Sanctuaries for Flatback Encounters
- Bare Sand Island (Northern Territory, Australia) — Remote nesting key west of Darwin.
- Eco Beach & Broome (Kimberley, Western Australia) — Coastal foraging grounds and nesting beaches.
- Great Barrier Reef Northern Sector (Queensland, Australia) — Shallow reef encounters.
