<<

VOCABULARY : the dorsal (upper) part of the shell, covered by LOGGERHEAD bony external plates called (Caretta caretta) Hatchling: a baby turtle first costal : Reptilia touches : an that eats plants nurchal scute : Testudines and other : Plastron: the ventral Genius: Caretta ` (underside) part of : caretta a shell, also covered in scutes

LOGGERHEAD SCUTES The top of the flippers and head two green: vertebral (5) claws exhibit the same coloration as the yellow: costal (5-6 each side) on each carapace. front blue: marginal (11-12 each side) orange: nuchal (1) red: supracaudal (2)

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION A protective shell consists of a reddish-brown, oblong carapace and a pale yellow plastron. Head, neck and flippers have scales. Average adults measure 36 inches long and weigh 250 pounds. Hatchlings are brown, The pale yellowish plastron is measure about two inches long and weigh 0.04 pounds. significantly lighter.

DIET As omnivorous, they eat , crabs, , , , , vascular plants and more. Powerful jaws help devour hard-shelled prey, such as conchs and whelks.

LIFE HISTORY It takes about 35 to reach sexual matu- rity. Mating occurs from late March-early June. Females lay from late April-early September and on Each loggerhead will lay three to from to Alabama. Hatchlings immediately head to five during a single nesting open water. Some remain just off the nesting while season. Each nest contains an others swim out to sea. Juveniles return to near-shore areas average of 110 eggs. 7-12 years after hatching to continue to grow and mature.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION They inhabit all except the Arctic and are the most prevalent in the . Adults migrate long distances. Most TO REPORT A STRANDED MARINE nesting occurs in the subtropical region of the Atlantic, but OR SEA TURTLE, CALL THE nests have been documented from Maryland to . 24-HOUR HOTLINE AT 800-628-9944 LOCAL INFORMATION They are the most commonly stranded sea turtle in Maryland. Most are found along the Atlantic , but many also occur near the . They strand from May-October when water temperatures are warm. The main cause of death is boat strike. Larry Hogan, Governor n Mark Belton, Secretary Amanda Weschler tive O STATUS The Act lists loggerheads as ra x e f Cooperative Oxford Laboratory p o o r d o

threatened, which means they may soon become endan- L

904 South Morris Street C

a

b

gered. Federal and state agencies strive to reduce o

Oxford, Maryland 21654 r a

t

o

r and eliminate threats such as habitat destruction and trash y 443-258-6073 mistaken for food. [email protected]

The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, , sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability. Learn more at dnr.maryland.gov This document is available in alternative format upon request from a qualified individual with disability. 8/2016