Loggerhead Sea Turtle wildlife art sculpture

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

   Sea turtles have traveled the open seas for over 100 million years. Adults grow as large as 1000 pounds averaging 170-350 lbs and 31-45 inches,with a life span of 50 years or more. Beaches of the Southeastern U. S. are most important nesting sites for the threatened loggerhead turtle. Loggerheads are omnivorous feeders, preferring mollusk, squid, shrimp, crabs, barnacles,sea urchins, jellyfish, sponges and occasionally seaweed vegetation.
    Thousands of sea turtles drown annually in fishing nets. Lost, non-biodegradable fishing nets are a life-threatening hazard to a variety of sea life for many years. Boat propellers are a problem when sea turtles congregate near the shore during peak nesting times (June-July). Human activity and lights can prevent females from coming ashore to lay eggs; and later confuse hatchlings on their need to quickly reach the ocean.
   We can all help by reporting turtle activity to local conservation organizations, which provide safe hatcheries, greatly improving the chances of young turtles' survival. Safe boating and continued research on acceptable fishing practices are ways in which we can insure the survival of these ancient nomads of the sea.

Cool links: Mote Marine Laboratory, | Loggerhead | Atlantic Ridley | Leatherback |
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