Loggerhead Turtles

News: Recently, it has been found that Loggerhead turtles can learn and remember the magnetic signature of a location. They perform a ‘turtle dance’ when in an area associated with food, indicating recognition of the magnetic signature. This behaviour provides evidence that turtles use the Earth’s geomagnetic field for navigation.

About Loggerhead Turtle

• The loggerhead turtle is a species of sea turtle found in oceans around the world.
• It is scientifically known as Caretta caretta.
• It is recognized for its large head and powerful jaws, which help it crush hard-shelled prey.
• It is a migratory species, travelling thousands of kilometres between feeding and nesting sites.
• Habitat & Distribution:
  • They are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
  • They prefer coastal areas, bays, and estuaries but can also be found in open oceans.
  • Nesting occurs mainly on sandy beaches in regions like Florida, Oman, and Greece.
• Diet & Feeding Habits: 
  • Omnivorous but primarily consumes crustaceans, molluscs, jellyfish, and fish.
  • Uses its strong jaws to crush hard-shelled prey like crabs and conchs.
• Navigation & Migration
  • Uses Earth’s geomagnetic field to navigate long distances.
  • Returns to the same feeding and nesting sites despite seasonal migrations.
  • Recent research confirms loggerheads use two distinct magnetoreception mechanisms: a magnetic map for location recognition and a magnetic compass for direction.
• Conservation Status: 
  • Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List
• Threats:
  • Habitat destruction (coastal development, pollution).
  • Bycatch in fishing gear.
  • Climate change affecting nesting beaches and sex ratios.
  • Marine debris ingestion, especially plastics.
• Conservation Efforts
  • Protected under international agreements such as CITES and the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
  • Conservation programs focus on reducing bycatch, protecting nesting beaches, and raising public awareness.
  • Use of turtle-excluder devices (TEDs) in fishing nets to prevent accidental captures.