Quick answer
Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle in US Atlantic waters, with massive heads for crushing crabs and molluscs, weighing about 150 kg and living 50 years. Females return to natal beaches to nest — listed Vulnerable from bycatch and habitat loss.
Key takeaway
Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle in US Atlantic waters, with massive heads for crushing crabs and molluscs, weighing about 150 kg and living 50 years. Females return to natal beaches to nest — listed Vulnerable from bycatch and habitat loss.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle overview
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) is a reptile listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight 80–200 kg (175–440 lb); large heads relative to body; lifespan around 45–50 years; maturity at 20–30 years.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle ecology
Diet: Carnivore — crabs, molluscs, jellyfish, and fish. Habitat: Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild loggerhead sea turtles are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Loggerhead Sea Turtle profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild loggerhead sea turtles.
Human interest and research
Loggerhead Sea Turtles feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Sources
Loggerhead Sea Turtle FAQs
What are key facts about loggerhead sea turtles?
Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle in US Atlantic waters, with massive heads for crushing crabs and molluscs, weighing about 150 kg and living 50 years. Females return to natal beaches to nest — listed Vulnerable from bycatch and habitat loss.
What is the scientific name of the loggerhead sea turtle?
Caretta caretta — used in research and conservation listings for loggerhead sea turtles.
What do loggerhead sea turtles eat?
Loggerhead Sea Turtles eat crabs, molluscs, jellyfish, and fish, with seasonal and regional variation in Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide.
Where do loggerhead sea turtles live?
They are associated with Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of loggerhead sea turtles?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.