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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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  1. Home
  2. Environment
  3. Marine
  4. Marine species conservation
  5. Marine turtles in Australia
  6. Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)

Sidebar first - EN - Marine

  • Marine turtles
    • Flatback turtle (Natator depressus)
    • Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
    • Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
    • Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
    • Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
    • Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)

Conservation status

National: Endangered
EPBC Act Status and Documents - Caretta caretta — Loggerhead Turtle

Marine turtles are also protected under state and Northern Territory legislation. Please refer to the relevant state/Northern Territory Department website for further information.

Distribution and habitats

Loggerhead turtles have a worldwide tropical and subtropical distribution. In Australia, they occur in coral reefs, bays and estuaries in tropical and warm temperate waters off the coast of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales.

Breeding areas and nesting seasons

In Australia, there are two unique breeding populations of loggerhead turtles. The eastern Australian population nests on the southern Great Barrier Reef and adjacent mainland coastal areas, including Mon Repos, Wreck Rock, Wreck Island, Erskine Island, and Tryon Island. Major nesting areas for the Western Australian population include Muiron Islands, Ningaloo Coast south to about Carnarvon and islands near Shark Bay, including Dirk Hartog Island.

In south eastern Queensland, mating starts about late October, reaching a peak from November to early December. Loggerhead turtles nest from late October, reaching a peak in late December and finish nesting in late February or early March. Hatchlings emerge from nests from late December until about April with most hatching from February to early March.

Diet

Loggerhead turtles are carnivorous, feeding mostly on shellfish, crabs, sea urchins and jellyfish.

Loggerhead turtle carapace

  • 5 pairs (rarely 6) of large scales on each side (costal scales)
  • Carapace longer than wide
  • Colour red-brown to brown
  • Adult carapace approximately 1.0 metres

Resources

  • Marine turtle resources
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Last updated: 03 October 2021

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.