Marine turtles live along the coast and in the open water of seas and oceans throughout the globe. They are an important part of the both the aquatic and land-based ecosystems.

There are seven species of marine turtle; these include the Flatback, Green, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley turtles.

The Flatback Turtle

The Flatback turtle is rather reclusive; not much is known regarding their lifestyle and breeding habits. It is so named due to its flat body and recognised by the pair of scales on the front of its head four pairs of scutes along the smooth carapace.

Colouration is usually shades and combinations of yellow, grey, and green. They are found off Australia’s northern shores and it is estimated that the population of nesting females is 10,000.

The Green Turtle

The Green turtle is found in a variety of tropical and subtropical waters. Although they are widespread, the population is threatened by over-harvesting and accidental mortality as the result of fishing methods. It is presumed that a high instance in recent years of tumours is due to polluted water.

Green turtles are aptly named due to their green-coloured cartilage and green-tinged or dark carapaces. They are large, growing up to five feet long and sometimes weighing 440 pounds. They are found all over the world from the eastern Pacific to the western Caribbean.

The Hawksbill

The Hawksbill turtle sports a thin, very colourful and elaborately patterned shell. It is one of the most unusual marine turtles due to the overlapping plates on its carapace marbled and streaked with various shades of yellow.

Its name comes from the pointed, narrow beak that resembles a bird’s. The Hawksbill’s habitat is wide-ranging and it is assumed they migrate for breeding and feeding purposes.

Kemp’s and Olive Ridley

Kemp’s Ridley turtles live along the coastline on the Gulf of Mexico whilst Olive Ridley turtles are more widespread in the waters along South America, Australia, Asia, and the Caribbean.

They are the physically smallest of all marine turtles and migrate vast distances for feeding and nesting. The two were considered one species until the Isthmus of Panama closed and separated the populations.

Leatherback

On the other end of the scale, size-wise, is the Leatherback turtle, the largest of marine turtles and also one of the largest reptiles still in existence. They often migrate all the way across the ocean.

A distinguishing characteristic is the leathery carapace which is not hard like other turtles. They also have front flippers to aid in swimming long distances. Leatherbacks are found throughout the waters of the world.

Loggerhead

Loggerhead turtles are quite common in the Mediterranean Sea. Its rust-coloured carapace is often covered in barnacles. It sports a very large head and extremely strong jaws.

Just as the leatherbacks do, loggerheads migrate great distances and it is thought they are able to navigate via wave direction.

Take a look at our guide to critically endangered turtles.