Caretta caretta gigas

(Deraniyagala, 1939)

Vernacular names
English : Loggerhead turtle
French : Tortue caouanne

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Cheloniidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known. Subspecies validity is questionned.

Identification
Largest hard-shelled marine turtle, reaching 2.30 m in length for a weight up to 545 kg. Large head with powerful jaws, heart-shaped shell. Shell and top of head is usually reddish to beige-brown, becoming cream on underside.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs around the Indian and Pacific Oceans, never very far from shorelines. The species is also found in the Atlantic Ocean. Lives in coastal waters, over rocky and muddy substrates, near steep-sloped beach.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is declining in most parts of its range because of disturbance from humane activities on breeding grounds, poaching and hunting.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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