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Abbreviation Legend

  • (CE) - Criticially Endangered
  • (CI) - Critically Imperiled
  • (E) - Endangered
  • (I) - Introduced
  • (IM) - Imperiled
  • (NT) - Near Threatened
  • (T) - Threatened
  • (V) - Vulnerable
  • (**) - Recent Classification Change
Home »» Turtles & Tortoises »» Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles)

Sea Turtles of the United States


Sea turtles are characterized by heart shaped, scute covered carapaces, paddlelike limbs with one of two claws, and, with the exception of the leatherback, are the largest living aquatic turtles.They swell in tropical waters, ranging into temperate zones in the summer.

Sea turtles mate in shallow water off the nesting beaches. The females come ashore two or more times a season to lay a hundred or more spherical, leathery shelled eggs in a deep cavity dug with her hind feet. After filling the nest they lumber back to the sea. Hatchlings struggle to escape from the sandy chamber and then must face a horde of predators while they try to make it to the seas. Few reach the haven of water and still fewer survive their first year.

 

There are only 5 species, representing 4 genus, of Sea Turtles found in the United States.

(T)

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
(Caretta caretta)
(E)

Green Sea Turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
(CE)

Hawksbill Sea Turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata)
(CE)

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
(Lepidichelys kempi)
(V)

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
(Lepidichelys olivacea)

 

 

 

 

Recommended Books at Amazon.com


Turtles of North America: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Turtles of the Continental United States and Canada     Turtles of the United States and Canada     Common Box Turtles     Complete North American Box Turtle



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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
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