DIVE LOG Australasia

Loggerhead turtles have a massive head and lay eggs on mainland beaches.

more harm than good. It would be painful as well as become a source of infection. LOGGERHEAD The loggerhead sea turtle ( Caretta caretta ) are distributed throughout the world. Loggerhead turtles become sexually mature between 18 and 33 years and live into their sixties. The average weight is 140 kgs but a record shows one at over 400kgs Of the six species of living Cheloniidae. Loggerheads are more closely related to the Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles than to the Green turtle.

All living sea turtles are in the family Chelonidae. except the Leatherback turtle. Subspecific classification of the Loggerhead sea turtle is debated. Most authors consider it a single species. Molecular genetics has confirmed hybridization of the Loggerhead sea turtle with the Kemp’s Ridley Hawksbill and Green turtle. The extent of natural hybridization is not yet established; however, second generation hybrids have been reported, suggesting some hybrids are fertile. Loggerheads are the second largest after the enormous Leatherback turtles. Males develop longer claws and a

Loggerhead turtles can grow over 400kg This huge one from Lady Elliot Island is having a snooze.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #408 - October ‘24