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