AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN VUInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Vulnerable — at high risk of extinction if the current adverse conditions continue.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Caretta caretta
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Linnaeus, 1758
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A massive chelonian distinguishable by its disproportionately large and powerful head, equipped with strong jaws designed to crush hard-shelled prey. Its heart-shaped carapace features a reddish-brown coloration, complemented by a lighter plastron, and it possesses paddle-like limbs highly efficient for covering transoceanic distances.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Reptilia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Testudines
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Cheloniidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Caretta
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Linnaeus, 1758
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
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Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits a wide variety of environments, from shallow coastal waters and bays to pelagic currents of the open sea. It performs epic migrations between feeding areas and specific nesting beaches.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Highly migratory and solitary at sea. Females return faithfully to their home beaches to nest at night. Its behavior in the water is leisurely, but they show surprising determination during their oceanic migrations.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary, except during the breeding season. Males show no parental care and females only interact with the terrestrial environment during nesting.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Opportunistic forager. Tracks the ocean floor in search of mobile or fixed prey, using smell and vision to locate food among rocks and sand.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Benthic carnivore. Feeds mainly on organisms that live on the seabed, such as crabs, snails, sea urchins, and jellyfish, using its powerful jaw to break hard structures.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Oviparous species. The female excavates a deep nest in the beach sand where it deposits a large number of eggs. The sex of the hatchlings depends on the incubation temperature in the sand.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
70.0 - 110.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
80.00 kg - 180.00 kg
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.80 - 120
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
17 - 33 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
1 - 2
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males30 - 50 Years
Females30 - 50 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The male has a much longer and thicker tail that contains the reproductive organs, as well as curved and elongated front claws that it uses to cling to the female during mating.
Females Multi-lang
The female is slightly smaller in terms of head size and lacks the elongated claws of the male. Its biological priority is focused on energy efficiency for egg development.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Crushing Jaws: Its specialized cranial morphology allows for immense bite pressure, ideal for feeding on mollusks and crustaceans that other sea turtles cannot process.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Bycatch: Industrial fishing with longlines and trawling nets is the greatest threat to this species, which is often caught unintentionally.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Magnetoreceptive Navigation: They use the Earth's magnetic field as an internal compass, which allows them to navigate across vast oceans to return, decades later, to the same beach where they were born.