THE LOGGERHEAD
Caretta caretta
As you might know, Meer-Mir is a loggerhead. These beautiful turtles hold a special place in my heart.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
As you might have guessed, the loggerhead is named for the size of its exceptionally-large head. Instead of being green like the stereotypical turtle is, however, this sea dweller sports a reddish-brown carapace (upper shell) with yellowish-tan skin. The hatchlings are an exception, just like there often is in the English language. These babies can very in color from dark brown to a much lighter brown, and even have white areas on their flippers.
SIZE and NESTING:
Adults may weight up to 113 kg (350 lbs., if you insist), and have a carapace length of up to 105 cm (again, 41 inches). Hatchlings are only about 5.1 cm (2 in.) from nose to tail.
A female loggerhead will nest about every three years, but she will also lay 4-7 nests each breeding season, which is May through September in the USA. Approximately 55,000 loggerheads nest each year. (you try giving the number of something in standard}
FEEDING:
The loggerheads are known to feast on horseshoe crabs, clams, mussels, and other invertebrates, but their favorite food (comparable to toasted ravioli if you are a St. Louisan, pizza and ice cream if you are not) is shellfish. Powerful jaws can crush the shells of those luckless molluks. Lunchtime!!!
HABITAT:
Although sea turtles are known to dwell in many different places, this species usually favors coastal bays and shallow waters in subtropical and temperate oceans. They have been found in every major sea except the Arctic Ocean, and in the Western hemisphere are known to range all the way from Argentina to Newfoundland!
MAJOR THREATS:
The Caretta caretta is threatened mainly because of shrimp trawling and oil/gas exploration, and "of course" habitat loss.
