Caretta caretta

Caretta caretta, commonly known as the loggerhead sea turtle, is a large species of turtle that lives in the oceans. This species belongs to the class Reptilia and breathes air through lungs. It has a thick, hard shell, a large head, and four powerful flippers. It spends the majority of its life in the ocean and is generally solitary.

Its large head structure is one of its most distinctive features. Thanks to its strong head and jaw structure, it can crush shelled marine organisms to feed. This adaptation is crucial for its specialized feeding behavior. Its eyes are located on the sides of its head, and its nostrils are on the upper part of its head, allowing it to breathe with minimal surfacing.

Juveniles and young individuals typically live near the surface and close to shorelines, while adults spend most of their time in open seas.

Caretta caretta animation image. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

Habitat and Distribution

Caretta caretta inhabits marine environments in tropical and temperate climates. They are commonly found in regions such as the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean.

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most important nesting areas for this species. The southern coasts of Türkiye are highly valuable for both feeding and nesting activities. The most well-known nesting sites include:

• Muğla – İztuzu Beach (Dalyan)
• Antalya – Belek, Kızılot, Çıralı
• Mersin coastlines

Caretta caretta prefer sandy and quiet beaches for nesting. Female individuals typically return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. This behavior is scientifically known as “natal homing”. This demonstrates the remarkable navigational abilities of these animals.

Research by TÜBİTAK has identified more than 21 active nesting beaches along the Turkish coast. The peak nesting season occurs in June and July.

Habitat of Caretta caretta. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

Nesting and Juvenile Journey

Female Caretta caretta emerge onto sandy beaches during summer months, dig a suitable nest, and lay between 70 and 100 eggs. The nest depth is typically around 40–50 cm. This process occurs during nighttime hours, when the sea is calm and quiet.

The eggs remain buried under the sand for approximately 45–60 days. The warmth from the sun heats the sand, creating a natural incubation environment. Hatchlings usually emerge from the nest during nighttime and head toward the sea, using moonlight as a guide.

However, this short journey is extremely dangerous. In addition to natural predators such as birds, foxes, and crabs, hatchlings can become disoriented by artificial lighting. Therefore, combating light pollution on beaches is critically important.

Scientific studies indicate that only one or two out of every 1,000 hatchlings survive to reach adulthood. Thus, each nest and hatchling holds great significance for the species’ future.

Hatchling Caretta caretta. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

Conservation Status and Efforts

Conservation Status and Efforts

Caretta caretta is recognized internationally as a threatened species. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists it in the "Vulnerable" category. Major causes of population decline include:

• Beach degradation (due to hotel construction and urban development),
• Artificial lighting,
• Entanglement in fishing gear,
• Marine pollution, and
• Plastic waste.

In Türkiye, numerous measures have been implemented to protect Caretta caretta. During nesting seasons, certain beaches are closed to vehicle access, nighttime lighting is restricted, and nests are protected with special cages. Informational signs are also placed to raise public awareness.

Centers such as the Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER) operating at İztuzu Beach treat injured or sick turtles, release them back into the wild, and collect scientific data to guide conservation efforts. Thanks to these studies, detailed information has been gathered on turtle migration routes, nesting success rates, and environmental threats.

Thanks to conservation efforts, an increase in the number of Caretta caretta nests has been observed in some areas. However, the sustainability of these efforts depends on the support of both local communities and visitors.

Caretta caretta research center. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

Behavioral Characteristics

Caretta caretta are solitary animals. Adult individuals can swim long distances in the ocean and spend most of their lives in open seas. They roam wide geographic areas in search of food, but during the breeding season, they exhibit a strong tendency to return to the beach where they were born. This behavior is known as “natal homing” or, scientifically, natal homing.

Caretta caretta are notable for their navigational abilities. Research indicates that these animals can detect Earth’s magnetic field and navigate vast oceanic distances with remarkable accuracy. This ability plays a crucial role in locating their natal beaches.

Feeding habits are closely linked to their behavioral traits. Adult individuals feed on:

• Mollusks,
• Jellyfish,
• Shelled marine organisms.

Thanks to their powerful jaws, they can break the hard shells of these prey. Juveniles, on the other hand, primarily consume plankton and small invertebrates. They locate prey mainly by sight, which is why their vision is highly developed.

Caretta caretta can remain underwater for extended periods. However, since they breath air through lungs, they must periodically surface to breathe.

Caretta caretta and their prey. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

Caretta Caretta Information Card

Short information table on Caretta caretta. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

References

1. Anadolu Ajansı. “Newly Hatched Caretta caretta Reach the Mediterranean.” Anadolu Ajansı, accessed 14 June 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/pg/photo-gallery/newly-hatched-loggerhead-turtles-caretta-caretta-make-their-ways-to-the-mediterranean-sea-.
2. "Caretta caretta." TÜBİTAK Bilim Çocuk Dergisi, vol. 4, no. 467, 2004, pp. 38–39., accessed 23 June 2025. https://services.tubitak.gov.tr/edergi/yazi.pdf?dergiKodu=8&cilt=4&sayi=467&sayfa=38&yaziid=16808.
3. Ortaca Kaymakamlığı. “Caretta caretta.” Ortaca Kaymakamlığı Official Website, accessed 14 June 2025. http://www.ortaca.gov.tr/caretta-carettalar.
4. Türkozan, Osman, and Yusuf Uçar. “Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) Nesting in Turkey: A Review of Studies.” Turkish Journal of Zoology 40, no. 2 (2016): 275–281. Accessed 14 June 2025. https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/vol40/iss2/9/.