The loggerhead is one of only seven species of marine turtles still in existence today. Adult loggerheads can be up to 3 feet in length and weigh as much as pounds. These turtles are believed to have a life span of years. The head and upper shell carapace are dark and reddish brown; the flippers and lower shell plastron are light yellow.
The outer layer of plates on the shell and head, called scutes, can be used to distinguish the various species of marine turtles. The loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta was listed as a threatened species in under the Endangered Species Act and the State Nongame Act. They are residents of the open ocean and make their way onto the Kiawah beaches during the nighttime hours to dig a nest and lay their eggs.
In coastal waters, loggerheads eat primarily whelks, crabs, fish, sponges and jellyfish. Nesting activity typically begins in mid-May and will continue into early August. Though the study shows most sea turtle hatchlings reach the Gulf of Mexico, future impacts due to human encroachment and climate change could affect the population. Increased frequency of extreme storms due to warmer waters and sea-level rise may flood or wash away larger portions of clutches, leading to population declines of the threatened species.
Without knowledge of the sea turtle's survival and reproductive biology, we cannot develop and implement effective conservation policies," said Cassill.
The study is one in a series of upcoming articles by Cassill pertaining to her "maternal risk management model," which looks at how natural selection pressures, such as predators, storms and resource scarcity, influence how mothers invest in offspring quantity and quality.
She argues turtles and fish invest in large numbers of offspring when the likelihood their offspring will be killed by predators is high. Mammal mothers like whales and elephants provide extensive care to one offspring at a time when the likelihood their young will starve during seasonal droughts is high.
The model, based on the number and size of offspring produced by a mother, extends Darwin's theory of natural selection by explaining the fusion of parents and offspring into family units and societies. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Science News. Journal Reference : Deby L. Multiple maternal risk-management adaptations in the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta mitigate clutch failure caused by catastrophic storms and predators. However, due to the terrain that is covered, it is not recommended for the disabled, elderly or children 4 and under.
Join a Georgia Sea Turtle Center naturalist for a close inspection of a sea turtle nest after the turtles have hatched. You will help them inspect the nest to see how successful the hatch was, and you may even get the chance to see a live baby turtle making a dash for the waves. Situated on Jekyll Island, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center helps the loggerhead sea turtle in two ways: by providing care and rehabilitation for sick and wounded turtles, and by educating the general public through interactive exhibits and special programs.
Learn more about visiting the center. Back to Previous Journey of the Loggerhead Turtles. Seeing Them: When, Where and How Loggerhead sea turtles are most visible during the nesting season, which begins in early June and lasts through the end of July. Turtle Walks Stroll the beach at night with a naturalist and other turtle lovers.
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