The loggerhead is a large sea turtle with a big head and reddish-brown shell. It travels vast distances across oceans and returns to nest on sandy beaches.
Interesting facts
- Its large head and powerful jaws crush hard-shelled prey such as conchs and crabs.
- It is the largest hard-shelled turtle.
- Loggerheads that hatch in Japan cross the Pacific to feed off Mexico’s Baja California.
- Florida has one of the most important loggerhead nesting beaches in the world.
- Females return to nest near the beach where they hatched.
- Artificial lights on beaches can confuse hatchlings and lead them away from the sea.
Behaviour
Loggerheads spend most of their lives at sea, migrating between feeding and nesting areas. Young turtles often drift in floating seaweed in the open ocean.
Breeding and young
Females come ashore at night every two to three years, laying several clutches of about 100 eggs each. Hatchlings emerge after about two months.
Threats and conservation
Accidental capture in fishing gear, coastal development and beach lighting, plastic pollution, and climate change affecting nest temperatures.
Where to see it
- Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
- Masirah Island, Oman
- Mon Repos, Bundaberg, Australia
- Zakynthos, Greece
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
Oman Wildlife: Turtle Nesting at Ras al Jinz
