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There are seven recognized sea turtle species in the world. Species differ in habitat, food preferences, appearance and weight. According to NOAA Fisheries, all seven species of marine turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC), is an excellent resource to find out more specifics on each of these sea turtles. See the link below:
http://www.cccturtle.org/sea-turtle-information.
Green sea turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
Green turtles are medium to large in size, weighing 300-400 pounds. As adults, they are the only sea turtle species that are herbivores, only eating sea grasses and algae. They are brown with mottled shells. They are found along the Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean seashores, as well as in Hawaii. (Photo by Andy Bruckner/NOAA)
Hawksbill sea turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata)
Hawksbills, named for their narrow head and hawk-like beak is one of the smaller sea turtles. They can weigh up to 200 pounds, and are typically found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries and lagoons. They are the most tropical of all sea turtles and can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean. (Photo by Caroline Rogers/USGS)
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
(Lepodochelys kempii)
Named after Richard Kemp who helped discover and study the turtle. Adults weigh between 77-100 pounds, and they prefer shallow areas with sandy and muddy bottoms. Kemp's ridley's nest more often than other species and have mass synchronized nesting's called arribadas, Spanish for “arrival.” Adults are mostly in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by National Park Service)
Leatherback sea turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea)
Named for its shell which is composed of a layer of thin, tough, rubbery skin, which is strengthened by thousands of tiny bone plates that make it look leathery. Can grow to be 5-6 feet and weight between 600 and 1,000 lbs. Leatherbacks are mostly found in the open ocean and are the most widely distributed of all sea turtles. (Photo by Scott Benson/NMFS-SWFSC)
Loggerhead sea turtle
(Caretta caretta)
Loggerheads have exceptionally large heads with heavy, strong jaws. Adults can weigh up to 350 pounds. Loggerheads are primarily carnivorous and feed mostly on shellfish. They prefer to feed in coastal bays and estuaries as well in shallow water along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. (Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission)
Olive ridley sea turtle
(Lepodochelys olivacea)
The Olive Ridley is named for its olive green colored shell. Adults weigh between 77 and 100 pounds. Generally found in coastal bays and estuaries, they nest every year in arribadas. The olive ridley inhabits tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. (Photo by Michael Jensen)
Flatback Sea Turtle
(Natator depressus)
Commonly called the Australian flatback because of its flat shell, these turtles weigh an average of 198 pounds and prefer turbid inshore waters, bays, coastal coral reef and grassy shallows. They are mainly found in waters around Australia and Papua New Guinea in the Pacific.
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