En Español

The seven sea turtle species that swim our oceans belong to a unique evolutionary lineage that dates back at least 110 million years. Sea turtles fall into two main subgroups: the unique family Dermochelyidae, which consists of a singe species, the leatherback, and the family Cheloniidae, which comprises six species of hard-shelled sea turtles. Five of the seven species of sea turtle are designated as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Flatback (Natator depressus) – Data Deficient: The flatback is the least studied of the sea turtles and has one of the smallest geographic ranges. The only endemic sea turtle species, flatbacks nest solely along the northern coast of Australia, and live solely on the continental shelf between Australia, southern Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) – Endangered: The green turtle has the most numerous and widely dispersed nesting sites of the seven species, and was once highly sought after for its body fat – a key ingredient in the popular delicacy, ‘green turtle soup.’ Although it has become illegal to trade them in many parts of the world, green turtles and their eggs continue to be consumed.

Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) – Critically Endangered: Named for its sharp, pointed beak, the hawksbill feeds primarily on reef sponges, invertebrate organisms whose bodies contain tiny indigestible glass needles. The hawksbill has a beautiful, translucent shell, which has long been exploited for use in tortoiseshell jewelry. Though international trade of tortoiseshell has been prohibited, illegal trafficking continues.

Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) – Vulnerable: The Kemp’s ridley is the smallest of the sea turtles and has an extremely restricted range, nesting only along the Caribbean shores of northern Mexico and in Texas, U.S.A. Fifty years ago, the Kemp’s ridley was near extinction. Although this species now shows signs of recovery, fishing nets and coastal development continue to threaten the species, and much work remains to be done before it can be considered safe.

Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) – Critically Endangered: The largest of the sea turtles, the leatherback is rapidly declining in many areas of the world. Off the Pacific coast of the Americas, the annual leatherback mortality rate is 33 percent.

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) – Endangered: Loggerheads are named for their large heads, with jaws powerful enough to crush an adult queen conch. Like most sea turtles, loggerheads are famed for their vast migrations. As a species that may travel thousands of miles across ocean basins, loggerheads are in grave danger due to worldwide habitat loss and incidental capture by fishermen.

Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) – Endangered: In one of nature's greatest spectacles known as arribadas, the Spanish word for ‘arrival,’ olive ridleys come ashore simultaneously by the hundreds and thousands to nest. Though they are the most abundant of sea turtles, olive ridleys are increasingly threatened by trawling and coastal development.