Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Caretta caretta
Vulnerable
Florida hosts more loggerhead sea turtle nests than any other place in the world. They nest on Atlantic and Gulf beaches from May through October.
Behavior
Long-distance migrators. Females return to the same beach where they were born to lay eggs. Hatchlings emerge at night and follow moonlight to the ocean.
⚠️ Safety
Never touch, pick up, or shine lights on nesting turtles or hatchlings. If you find a nest, mark it and report to local sea turtle patrol. It's a federal crime to disturb sea turtles.
Fun Facts
- Can live over 70 years
- Females lay 100-120 eggs per nest and may nest 4-7 times per season
- Light pollution is a major threat — hatchlings get disoriented by artificial lights
- Melbourne Beach, FL is the most important loggerhead nesting beach in the world
Where to See
Florida Keys
coastal120-mile chain of tropical islands. World-class snorkeling, diving, and saltwater fishing. The only ...
Biscayne National Park
coastal95% underwater park protecting coral reefs, mangrove shoreline, and the northern Florida Keys. Incre...
John Pennekamp Coral Reef SP
coastalAmerica's first undersea park. 70 nautical square miles of coral reef. Home to the Christ of the Aby...
Identify This Species
Use our Species Identifier to learn how to distinguish the Loggerhead Sea Turtle from similar species.
