LOGGERHEAD TURTLE

NEWS: Warmer oceans, depleting food sources–> affecting the reproductive patterns, migration routes, and even body size of the Loggerhead turtle.

ABOUT

• A species of oceanic sea turtle
• Belongs to the family: Cheloniidae (hardshelled sea turtles)
• “Loggerhead”àBecause of its: Very large head, strong jaw muscles (used to crush hard prey)
• World’s largest hard-shelled turtle
• Larger than: Green sea turtle (on average weight)
• Second largest turtle overall after: Leatherback sea turtle (softshelled)

Key Feature:

• Large head + powerful jaws
• Hard shell (carapace)
• Adapted for crushing shellfish
• Loggerhead turtles use the Earth’s geomagnetic field for navigation
  • They sense magnetic fields like a natural GPS
  • Helps in: Long-distance migration, returning to nesting beach
• Play a key role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance, controlling invertebrate populations
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Climate Change Affects Loggerhead Turtles:

• Rising sea temperatures → alters nesting cycles
• Temperature-dependent sex determination
• Warmer sand = more female hatchlings
• Ocean warming → decline in prey availability
• Changing ocean currents → migration disruption

Environmental Significance

• Indicator of ocean health
• Supports marine food chains
• Maintains ecological balance
• Protects coastal ecosystems
• Also linked with: SDG 14 (Life Below Water)àMarine biodiversity conservation