
Loggerhead Turtle
Caretta caretta

Protected Status
Quick Facts

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 |
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Featured News
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
Final Annual Determination for 2018
Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements
Critical Habitat for Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Documents
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,…
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…
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…