Loggerhead Turtle - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Caretta caretta

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 05 Oct 2001

Profile last updated: 08 Mar 2018

Description

The Loggerhead Turtle is a large sea turtle to 1.5 m in length. The shell is an elongated heart-shape, dark brown above and white, cream or yellowish below. The large head is dark brown on top becoming pale at the sides, with darker blotches.

Distribution

Loggerhead Turtles are found in tropical and temperate waters off the Australian coast. In NSW they are seen as far south as Jervis Bay and have been recorded nesting on the NSW north coast and feeding around Sydney.

Habitat and ecology

Loggerhead Turtles are ocean-dwellers, foraging in deeper water for fish, jellyfish and bottom-dwelling animals. The female comes ashore to lay her eggs in a hole dug on the beach in tropical regions during the warmer months.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Collision with boats and other marine traffic causing injury or mortality
Entanglement and bycatch in shark nets, traps, lines and other fishing gear causing injury or mortality
Entanglement in or ingestion of marine debris
Recreational disturbance (e.g. 4WD, people, dogs) impacting turtle nests by trampling, crushing, or vandalism
Lack of knowledge of important habitat areas in NSW including nesting beaches
Lack of successful nests
Lack of knowledge of the species and its threats in NSW to inform management
Increases in temperatures, sea level, and extreme weather events from climate change impacting the species distribution and breeding success
Artificial light impacting hatchling behaviour and survival
Predation of nests by foxes, cats, pigs, or dogs
Climate change (inundation and sea-level rise)
Increased diseases (e.g. coccidiosis) impacting population health

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Avoid hitting turtles with boats or propellers when at sea.
Avoid discarding any debris at sea.
Avoid disturbing nesting turtles or nest sites.
Support the use of turtle exclusion devices on trawling nets.
Report any nesting turtles to the OEH.

Information sources

Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
Limpus, C.J. (2008) A biological review of Australian marine turtle species. 1. Loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta (Linnaeus). (Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane)
NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Loggerhead turtle - Endangered species determination - final.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	Within 250 m of the high tide mark
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	Within 1 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	Within 250m of the high tide mark
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	Within 250m of the high tide mark
Ocean	Batemans Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Predicted	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Pacific Subtropical Islands	Lord Howe Island	Predicted	Within 250m of the high tide mark
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	Within 250m of the high tide mark
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	Within 250m of the high tide mark
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	Within 250m of the high tide mark
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	Within 250m of the high tide mark
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	Within 1 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None

Images

Loggerhead Turtle
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