Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

Caretta caretta

Illustration of loggerhead sea turtle

Protected Status

ESA Endangered
Northeast Atlantic Ocean DPS, Mediterranean Sea DPS, North Indian Ocean DPS, North Pacific Ocean DPS, South Pacific Ocean DPS
ESA Threatened
Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS, South Atlantic Ocean DPS, Southeast Indo-Pacific Ocean DPS, Southwest Indian Ocean DPS
CITES Appendix I
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Weight
250 pounds
Lifespan
Unknown
Length
3 feet
Threats
Harvest, Entanglement, Marine debris, Disease, Chemical pollution, Noise, Habitat degradation and loss
Location
National, Foreign
See Regulatory Actions
loggerhead.jpg

About the Species

Loggerheads were named for their relatively large heads, which support powerful jaws and enable them to feed on hard-shelled prey, such as whelks and conch. They are circumglobal, occurring throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Loggerheads are the most abundant species of sea turtle found in U.S. coastal waters.

Five distinct population segments (DPS) of loggerheads are listed as endangered and 4 DPS are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting loggerhead sea turtles. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study and protect this species.

Protected Status

ESA Endangered

5 distinct population segments

  • Northeast Atlantic Ocean DPS
  • Mediterranean Sea DPS
  • North Indian Ocean DPS
  • North Pacific Ocean DPS
  • South Pacific Ocean DPS

ESA Threatened

4 distinct population segments

  • Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS
  • South Atlantic Ocean DPS
  • Southeast Indo-Pacific Ocean DPS
  • Southwest Indian Ocean DPS

CITES Appendix I

  • Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Testudines
Family Cheloniidae
Genus Caretta
Species caretta

Featured News

Kemp's ridley.jpg
Feature Story

Tagging Sea Turtles

Southeast
loggerhead turtle getting tagged
Feature Story

Researchers Tag Record 35 Loggerhead Turtles

New England/Mid-Atlantic
Green LED sticks illuminating.
Feature Story

The Cost of Saving Sea Turtles from Gillnets

Pacific Islands
First tagged loggerhead
Feature Story

For the First Time, Scientists Tag a Loggerhead Sea Turtle off U.S. West Coast

West Coast

Related Species

Management Overview

The loggerhead turtle was first listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened throughout its range on July 28, 1978. In September 2011, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, listed 9 distinct population segments (DPSs) of loggerhead sea turtles under the ESA. We proposed to list 9 DPSs of loggerhead sea turtles under the ESA in 2010 and listed four DPSs as threatened and five as endangered under the ESA in October 2011.

Regulatory Actions & Documents

Final Annual Determination for 2019

NOAA Fisheries will not identify additional fisheries to observe on the 2019 Annual Determination (AD), pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act. Through the AD, NOAA Fisheries identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean,
Notice
,
National
Published

Final Annual Determination for 2018

NOAA Fisheries publishes its final Annual Determination for 2018, pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act. Through the Annual Determination, NOAA Fisheries identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
Final Rule
,
National
Effective

Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements

On December 16, 2016, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule to require TEDs on skimmer trawl, pusher-head trawl, and wing net vessels. We are proposing to withdraw the alternative tow time restriction and require all skimmer trawls, pusher-head
Proposed Rule
,
Southeast
Comments Close

Critical Habitat for Loggerhead Sea Turtle

We, the NOAA Fisheries, issue a final rule to designate critical habitat for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) within the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico pursuant to the
Final Rule
,
National
Effective

Documents

Document

Potential impacts of artificial reef development on sea turtle conservation in Florida

This study investigated the impacts Florida artificial reefs may have on sea turtle populations,…

Southeast
Document

Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Permit No. 20315 for Scientific Research on Sea Turtles in the United States Virgin Islands

The permit application is to continue a project studying green (South Atlantic distinct population…

National
Document

Recovery Plan for the Northwest Atlantic Population of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was listed as threatened throughout its range on July…

National
More Documents

Data & Maps

More Data and Maps