© CI/Photo by Roderic B. Mast
Five of the seven species of sea turtle are designated as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Learn more about the geographic distributions, adult body sizes, diets, reproduction, and other biological aspects for each of the seven species.
Prized for its beautiful shell, the hawksbill has long been exploited for use in jewelry making.
The leatherback is the world’s largest turtle and the second-largest reptile on Earth.
Kemp's Ridley
Conservationists are trying to save the few remaining Kemp's Ridleys, the world's smallest and most endangered sea turtles.
Olive Ridley
Though abundant, Olive Ridleys are increasingly threatened by trawling and coastal development.
Green
Green turtles have the most numerous and widely dispersed nesting sites of the seven species of sea turtle.
Flatback
Flatbacks have a unique physiology that allows them to stay active underwater for longer periods than most other species.
Loggerhead
A species that may travel thousands of miles across ocean basins, loggerheads are in grave danger due to worldwide habitat loss and incidental capture in fisheries.