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Most scientists recognize 2 families of sea turtles: Family Cheloniidae includes all sea turtles with scutes (horny plates) covering their shells. Family Dermochelyidae are scute-less turtles with only 1 modern species; the leatherback turtle. A leatherback sea turtle is covered with leathery skin.
Six of the seven species of sea turtles that swim the planet’s waters— leatherback, loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, green, olive ridley, and hawksbill —are found in every ocean except the Arctic and...
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Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites; it alters sand temperatures, which then affects the sex of hatchlings. Three species of sea turtle are now classified as endangered, with two of those being critically endangered. WWF is committed to stopping the decline of sea turtles and works for the recovery of the species.
Sea turtles (superfamily Chelonioidea), sometimes called marine turtles, [3] are reptiles of the order Testudines and of the suborder Cryptodira. The seven existing species of sea turtles are the flatback, green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and olive ridley.
- Leatherback Turtle. The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest sea turtle. These gigantic reptiles can reach lengths of over 6 feet and weights of over 2,000 pounds.
- Green Turtle. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is large, with a carapace of up to 3 feet long. Green turtles weigh up to 350 pounds. Their carapace can include shades of black, gray, green, brown, or yellow.
- Loggerhead Turtles. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are a reddish-brown turtle with a very large head. They are the most common turtle that nests in Florida.
- Hawksbill Turtle. The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) grows to lengths of 3 1/2 feet long and can weigh up to 180 pounds. Hawksbill turtles were named for the shape of their beak, which looks similar to the beak of a raptor.
Oct 21, 2024 · Sea turtle, any of seven species of marine turtles belonging to the families Dermochelyidae (leatherback sea turtles) and Cheloniidae (green turtles, flatback sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, hawksbills, and ridleys). Both families are highly aquatic, and most species only appear on coastal beaches for egg laying.
Order: Testudines. Status: Endangered. Classification: Reptile. Description. Sea turtles are reptiles remarkably suited to life in the sea. Their hydrodynamic shape, large size, and powerful front flippers allow them to dive to great depths and swim long distances.
