Turtle Anatomy & Basics

How many species of sea turtles are there?

7

List the seven types of sea turtles

Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, green, olive, hawksbill, loggerhead, flatback

Which species of sea turtles are found in the Gulf of Mexico & Florida?

Loggerhead, Green, kemp’s Ridley, hawksbill, leatherback

Label the figure

1. Carapace

2. Tail

3. Posterior

4. Rear flipper

5. Carapace scute

6. Anterior

7. Front flipper

8. Flipper scales

9. Beak

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1. Plastron

2. Vent

3. Posterior

4. Plastron scute

5. Anterior

6. Skin

7. Beak

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Marginal scutes

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Costal scutes

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Vertebral scutes

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Nuchal

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Pygal

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1. Intergular

2. Interanal

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Marginal scutes

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Inframarginal scutes

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Gular

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Humeral

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Pectoral

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Abdominal

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Femoral

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Anal

How can you differentiate a male vs female sea turtle?

Once mature the males will have longer tail then the females aka a prehensile tail

What is the genus for green sea turtles?

Chelonia Mydas (CM)

What is the weight range for an adult green sea turtle?

300-350lbs (135-150kg)

What is the weight for a green sea turtle hatchling?

0.05lb (25g)

What is the length of an adult green sea turtle?

3ft (1m)

What’s the length of a green sea turtles hatchling?

2 inches (50mm)

What’s the diet of green sea turtles?

Sea grasses & algae.

They are also opportunistic feeders, so they will also eat fish, jellyfish, etc

How did green sea turtles get their names?

From their green fat

What is the 22018 IUCN status for green sea turtles?

ENDANGERED

What is the genus name for the Loggerhead sea turtles?

Careta careta (CC)

What is the weight for adult loggerheads?

250lb (113kg)

What is the weight of a loggerhead hatching?

0.05lb (20g)

What is the length of an adult loggerhead?

92 cm

What is the length of a loggerhead hatchling?

4 cm

What is the diet of loggerheads?

Crustaceans: crab, conch, whelks, etc.

What is the 2018 IUCN status for loggerheads?

VULNERABLE

What species of sea turtles are the primary nesters in Pinellas county?

Loggerheads

What is the genus name for Kemp’s Ridley?

Lepidochelys Kempii (LK)

What is the weight of an adult Kemps Ridley?

100lbs (45kg)

What is the weight of a hatchling Kemps Ridley?

0.5oz (14g)

What is the length of an adult Kemps Ridley?

24-28in (60-70cm)

What is the length of a kemps Ridley hatchling?

1.5in (3.8cm)

What is the diet of kemps Ridley’s?

Crabs, fish, jellyfish, and mollusks

What is Arrbada?

A nesting behavior where large groups come ashore and nest all at once

What is 2018 IUCN status for Kemp’s Ridley?

Critically Endangered

What is the genus name for Hawksbill turtle?

Etremochelys imbricata (EM)

What is the weight range for an adult Hawksbill?

100-150 lbs (45-70 kg)

What is the weight for Hawksbill hatchlings?

0.5oz (15g)

What is the length range for a Hawksbill?

25-35 in (65-90 cm)

What is the diet of Hawksbill turtles?

Sponges & other invertebrates, algae

What is the 2018 IUCN Status for Hawksbill?

Critically Endangered

What is the genus name for Leahterbacks?

Dermochelys coriacea (DC)

What is the weight for an adult leatherback?

2,000 lbs (900 kg)

What is the weight of a leatherback hatchling?

1.5-2 oz (40-50 g)

What is the length of an adult leatherback?

6.5 ft (2 m)

What is the length of a hatchling?

2-3 in (5-7.5 cm)

What is the diet of a leatherback?

Soft-bodied animals, such as jellyfish’s & salps & pyrosomes

What is the 2018 IUCN Status for leatherbacks?

VULNERABLE

What is the genus name for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles?

Lepidochelys olivácea (LO)

What is the weight range for an olive Ridley turtle?

80-110 pounds

What is the length range for olive Ridley’s?

2-2.5 ft long

What is the scientific name for an Olive Ridley?

Lepidochelys olivácea (LO)

Are Olive Ridley’s common in Florida?

No. They are rare in Florida waters

How many Olive Ridley’s have been recorded ?

6 live and 1 dead

Where have the Olive Ridley’s been found?

Monroe, Dade, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties

Which turtle is known for having a serrated jaw?

Green Sea Turtles

Which species is known for their imbricated scutes (overlap)?

Hawksbill

Which turtle is known for being as wide as they are long?

Kemps

Which’s species is known for having pores on their inframarginal scutes?

Kemp’s Ridley

Which species is known for having ridges instead of scutes?

Leatherbacks