Seven Species of Sea Turtles
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/4/4/21444322/409905936.jpg)
Leatherback
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of the sea turtle species. It is about 6 feet from front to back and has a front arm span of 8 feet. An average leatherback can weigh between 1200-1450 pounds, however, some can weigh up to 2000 pounds. This species can be found in the open seas. It has the highest survival rate of all sea turtle species. Leatherbacks can be found in tropical areas as well as Canada. The leatherback shell is made up of a single piece with five ridges, and stands out from other turtles who have plated shells. There are about 75,000 females that nest of this species. They can lay 60-105 eggs four to six times a year.
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of the sea turtle species. It is about 6 feet from front to back and has a front arm span of 8 feet. An average leatherback can weigh between 1200-1450 pounds, however, some can weigh up to 2000 pounds. This species can be found in the open seas. It has the highest survival rate of all sea turtle species. Leatherbacks can be found in tropical areas as well as Canada. The leatherback shell is made up of a single piece with five ridges, and stands out from other turtles who have plated shells. There are about 75,000 females that nest of this species. They can lay 60-105 eggs four to six times a year.
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/4/4/21444322/9236973.jpg?203)
Kemp's Ridley
The average Kemp's ridley is 24 inches long, but can reach up to 30 inches in length. The Kemp's ridley is the smallest of the sea turtles. It can weigh from 77-100 pounds. This species can be found mostly in sub-tropical areas, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic. The Kemp's ridley is the rarest sea turtle and the most endangered. This species shell is usually oval and an olive-gray color. Kemp's ridley will lay approximately 110 eggs up to three times a season.
The average Kemp's ridley is 24 inches long, but can reach up to 30 inches in length. The Kemp's ridley is the smallest of the sea turtles. It can weigh from 77-100 pounds. This species can be found mostly in sub-tropical areas, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic. The Kemp's ridley is the rarest sea turtle and the most endangered. This species shell is usually oval and an olive-gray color. Kemp's ridley will lay approximately 110 eggs up to three times a season.
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/4/4/21444322/955229342.jpg?212)
Hawksbill
The average Hawksbill is 35 inches long and it can weigh up to 180 pounds. The Hawksbill received its name because of the shape of its beak. This species is well known for its beautiful shell that is referred to as the tortoise shell. Many people try to hunt this species to make jewelry, ornaments, and other items out of the shell. The Hawksbill can be found traveling around Asia, Africa, and North America in tropical waters. They can be spotted in all of the oceans except the Arctic Ocean. Hawksbill have over 1,000 females that nest annually. This species can lay between 60-200 eggs every two to three years.
The average Hawksbill is 35 inches long and it can weigh up to 180 pounds. The Hawksbill received its name because of the shape of its beak. This species is well known for its beautiful shell that is referred to as the tortoise shell. Many people try to hunt this species to make jewelry, ornaments, and other items out of the shell. The Hawksbill can be found traveling around Asia, Africa, and North America in tropical waters. They can be spotted in all of the oceans except the Arctic Ocean. Hawksbill have over 1,000 females that nest annually. This species can lay between 60-200 eggs every two to three years.
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/4/4/21444322/1417630.jpg?215)
Loggerhead
Loggerhead's are reddish-brown in color. This species can range in length from 35 inches to 3 feet and they have a large head. Loggerheads can range in weight from 154 pounds to 400 pounds. This species is still found frequently throughout the continental shelf. A majority of loggerheads live around the Florida area. The loggerhead can nest four to five times throughout the nesting season which is spring and summer. The loggerhead can lay between 100-125 eggs.
Loggerhead's are reddish-brown in color. This species can range in length from 35 inches to 3 feet and they have a large head. Loggerheads can range in weight from 154 pounds to 400 pounds. This species is still found frequently throughout the continental shelf. A majority of loggerheads live around the Florida area. The loggerhead can nest four to five times throughout the nesting season which is spring and summer. The loggerhead can lay between 100-125 eggs.
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/4/4/21444322/2010121.jpg?193)
Olive Ridley
Olive ridley's range between 22 and 30 inches long. Olive ridley's are also a smaller turtle like the Kemp ridley. The Olive ridley's weigh less than 100 pounds. This species is named for their olive colored shell. The shell is heart shaped. During nesting season these turtles come to shore in colonies and nest together. The species can lay between 105 and 115 eggs. The Olive ridley turtle have been found in tropical areas of Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
Olive ridley's range between 22 and 30 inches long. Olive ridley's are also a smaller turtle like the Kemp ridley. The Olive ridley's weigh less than 100 pounds. This species is named for their olive colored shell. The shell is heart shaped. During nesting season these turtles come to shore in colonies and nest together. The species can lay between 105 and 115 eggs. The Olive ridley turtle have been found in tropical areas of Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/4/4/21444322/8629062.jpg?210)
Flatback
Flatback's length is about 39 inches long and can weigh up to 198 pounds. Flatback turtles are named for their flat shell. This species can be found in the coastal coral reef. They are in the coastal waters of Papua New Guinea and Australia. The flatback lay fewer eggs than other sea turtle species, but their eggs are larger. They lay about 50 eggs up to four times a year. There are about 20,200 nesting females.
Flatback's length is about 39 inches long and can weigh up to 198 pounds. Flatback turtles are named for their flat shell. This species can be found in the coastal coral reef. They are in the coastal waters of Papua New Guinea and Australia. The flatback lay fewer eggs than other sea turtle species, but their eggs are larger. They lay about 50 eggs up to four times a year. There are about 20,200 nesting females.
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/4/4/21444322/4997800.jpg?216)
Green
Green sea turtles are large. They are between 32-43 inches in length and can weigh between 240-400 pounds. The green sea turtles vary in color. Their shell is colorful and can include black, gray, green, brown, and/or yellow. This species can be found in tropical waters. They have been sighted in Australia, Costa Rica, and other neighboring islands. Green turtles lay eggs in clutches of threes and can lay between 100 and 120 eggs.
Green sea turtles are large. They are between 32-43 inches in length and can weigh between 240-400 pounds. The green sea turtles vary in color. Their shell is colorful and can include black, gray, green, brown, and/or yellow. This species can be found in tropical waters. They have been sighted in Australia, Costa Rica, and other neighboring islands. Green turtles lay eggs in clutches of threes and can lay between 100 and 120 eggs.