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Turtles

Green Sea Turtle
  • Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas
  • Types: One of the largest sea turtle species.
  • Habitat: Shallow coastal areas, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.
  • Diet: Seagrass, algae, and occasionally jellyfish.
  • Reproduction: Sexual; females lay eggs on sandy beaches, returning to the same nesting sites every few years.
  • Spotting Tips: Look for a smooth, oval shell with brown and olive hues, often grazing on seagrass.
  • Countries: Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, including Australia, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
  • Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata
  • Types: Critically endangered species known for its beautiful shell.
  • Habitat: Coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky coastal areas.
  • Diet: Sponges, jellyfish, anemones, and other invertebrates.
  • Reproduction: Sexual; females nest on tropical beaches, laying multiple clutches of eggs.
  • Spotting Tips: Look for a pointed, narrow beak and a shell with overlapping, colorful scales.
  • Countries: Found in tropical waters worldwide, including the Caribbean, Seychelles, Indonesia, and Australia.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
  • Scientific Name: Caretta caretta
  • Types: Large-headed sea turtle species.
  • Habitat: Coastal bays, estuaries, and open ocean.
  • Diet: Crabs, mollusks, jellyfish, and fish.
  • Reproduction: Sexual; females return to nest on sandy beaches, often where they were born.
  • Spotting Tips: Look for its large, broad head and reddish-brown shell with a rugged appearance.
  • Countries: Found in subtropical and temperate waters globally, including the U.S. East Coast, Japan, and the Mediterranean.
Leatherback Sea Turtle
  • Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea
  • Types: The largest and deepest-diving sea turtle species.
  • Habitat: Open ocean, often in cooler waters.
  • Diet: Jellyfish and other soft-bodied invertebrates.
  • Reproduction: Sexual; females nest on tropical beaches, laying large clutches of eggs.
  • Spotting Tips: Look for its large size, smooth, leathery shell with ridges and white spots.
  • Countries: Found globally in tropical to subpolar waters, including the U.S. West Coast, Canada, and South Africa.