Vulnerable
IUCN Status
Protected across Mediterranean
135 kg
Average Weight
Muscular crushing skull
5 Pairs
Costal Scutes
Distinctive shell marker
May - Oct
Peak Season
Mediterranean breeding window
Biological Profile & Identification
The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) is distinguished by its disproportionately large, muscular head and powerful crushing jaws, engineered by nature to crush hard-shelled benthic prey such as horseshoe crabs, conchs, clams, and sea urchins. It represents the primary sea turtle species inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea and temperate Atlantic coastal zones.
Key Anatomical Characteristics
- Massive Heavy Head & Thick Neck: Reddish-brown, heart-shaped shell with thick scutes and large head scales.
- Five Pairs of Costal Scutes: Unlike Green turtles (4 pairs), Loggerheads have five distinct lateral scutes along each side of the carapace.
- Coloration: Rich copper-red to reddish-brown carapace with a pale yellow plastron (underside).
Top Global Sanctuaries for Loggerhead Encounters
- Laganas Bay & Marathonisi Island (Zakynthos, Greece) — The premier breeding and nesting sanctuary in Europe.
- Lara Bay & Akamas Peninsula (Cyprus) — Protected coastal nesting reserve and shallow feeding bay.
- Iztuzu Beach & Dalyan (Mugla, Turkey) — Home to the renowned DEKAMER Sea Turtle Research & Rehabilitation Center.
- Palm Beach (Florida, USA) — Drift snorkeling along the warm Gulf Stream current.
