Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta)

IUCN status: Endangered

Loggerhead, so-called for its exceptionally large head, is found in temperate and subtropical waters throughout most of the world. Preferring to feed in coastal bays and estuaries their foraging ground is along the continental shelves of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The characteristic feature of this species of marine turtle is its very large head with heavy strong jaws. The Carapace is heart shaped.

Loggerheads are quite enormous in size, second to Leatherbacks. Quite like the Leatherback turtle, Loggerheads can dive deep and survive in cold climatic conditions...Scientist are still trying to understand their survival technique.

They are also highly migratory and scientists believe they possess the ability to detect Earth's magnetic field which helps them in navigation.They are primarily carnivorous, feeding mostly on shellfish that live on the bottom of the ocean. They eat horseshoe crabs, clams, mussels, jellyfish, urchins and other invertebrates.

Their powerful jaw muscles help them to easily crush the shellfish. Loggerhead turtles have been sighted in the India n Ocean, along the East Coast of India and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, but nesting has not been reported in the Indian coastline.