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Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Caretta caretta

Reptile · family Cheloniidae · order Testudines

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G3: vulnerable[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Photo: ukanda, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Endangered (some populations)[1]
NatureServe global rank
G3 Vulnerable[2]
Native in
19 states[3]
Longest recorded life
77 years[4]

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a reptile in the family Cheloniidae[5]. Under the US Endangered Species Act, the Northwest Atlantic group is Threatened, and NatureServe records it as native in 19 US states and territories[6][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the loggerhead G3 worldwide, which it describes as Vulnerable, and N3B in the United States, Vulnerable (breeding)[2][7]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is also Vulnerable[8]. Under the Endangered Species Act, the status depends on the population group. The Northwest Atlantic group, the one listed for states such as Florida, Georgia and Texas, is Threatened[6]. Several other groups, including the North Pacific and Mediterranean Sea groups, are Endangered[9][10]. Loggerheads are also in CITES Appendix I, which sets controls on international trade[11].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the South Pacific south of the equator, north of 6)
Endangered Species Act[12] Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (North Indian Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the North Indian Ocean no)
Endangered Species Act[9] Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (Mediterranean Sea DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Mediterranean Sea east)
Endangered Species Act[13] Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (Northeast Atlantic Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Northeast Atlan)
Endangered Species Act[10] Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (North Pacific Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the North Pacific north )
Endangered Species Act[6] Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Northwest Atlan)
Endangered Species Act[14] Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the South Atlantic Ocean south of the equator, nor)
Endangered Species Act[15] Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Southeast Indian Ocean south of the equator, n)
Endangered Species Act[16] Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Southwest Indian Ocean north of the equator, s)
NatureServe global rank[2] G3 (Vulnerable)
NatureServe US rank[7] N3B (Vulnerable (breeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[8] Vulnerable
CITES (international trade)[11] Appendix I
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[17] 10,000 to 1,000,000 individuals

Where Loggerhead Sea Turtle lives

NatureServe lists the loggerhead as native in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia, among others[3]. State ranks vary a lot, and NatureServe gives its own rank for each of the 19 states[18]. Online observation records are reported most often from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and New Jersey, but that reflects where people look and report[19].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank SNRMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: native, state rank S1NNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S1NMAOregon: native, state rank SNAORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: native, state rank S1MNJConnecticut: native, state rank S1NCTRhode Island: native, state rank SNRRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: native, state rank S1B,S1NVAMaryland: native, state rank S1B,S1NMDDelaware: native, state rank SNADEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S2BNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S3SCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: native, state rank S1LAMississippi: native, state rank S1BMSAlabama: native, state rank S1ALGeorgia: native, state rank S3GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4TXFlorida: native, state rank S3FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[18].
Show state ranks (19 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS1Critically Imperiled
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ConnecticutS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
DelawareSNANot Applicable
FloridaS3Vulnerable
GeorgiaS3Vulnerable
LouisianaS1Critically Imperiled
MaineSNRNot Ranked
MarylandS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MississippiS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
New JerseyS1MCritically Imperiled (migrant)
New YorkS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
North CarolinaS2BImperiled (breeding)
OregonSNANot Applicable
Rhode IslandSNRNot Ranked
South CarolinaS3Vulnerable
TexasS4Apparently Secure
VirginiaS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records habitats such as sand and dunes, bays and sounds, tidal waters where rivers meet the sea, lagoons, tidal flats, near shore waters and the open sea[20]. The notes describe a turtle that lives mostly in warm temperate and subtropical waters not far from shore[21]. Adults use many kinds of water, from cloudy bays to clear reefs, while younger turtles stay mainly in nearshore waters[21]. Hatchlings head straight out to sea and often drift with floating mats of seaweed[21].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[20]

Size, diet and lifespan

Adult loggerheads eat fish, plants and many small sea animals, and NatureServe lists them as piscivore, invertivore and herbivore[22]. The notes say adults feed mostly on the bottom and also take jellyfish near the surface[23]. Young turtles feed on small prey that gather near the surface[23]. NatureServe records a typical length of 92 cm (36 in) and a typical adult weight of 113 kg (249 lb)[24][25]. A clutch is typically 115, and incubation takes about 60 days[26][27]. Females reach sexual maturity at 3,650 days[28]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 77 years, which is a record and not a typical lifespan[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[24] 92 cm (36 in)
Typical adult weight[25] 113 kg (249 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 77 years (wild)
Litter or clutch size[26] 115
Gestation or incubation[27] 60 days
Female maturity[28] 3,650 days (about 10.0 years)
Food habits[22] Piscivore, Invertivore, Herbivore
Migration[29] local migrant, long-distance migrant

When to look for it

NatureServe describes the loggerhead as a local migrant or a long-distance migrant, and populations can differ[29]. Observation records in the United States are highest in June, July and August, with the most in August[30]. The fewest records fall in November and January[30]. These counts show when people look and report turtles, not how many turtles there are[30].

January: 898 recordsJanFebruary: 2,062 recordsFebMarch: 1,952 recordsMarApril: 1,862 recordsAprMay: 4,262 recordsMayJune: 5,251 recordsJunJuly: 5,406 recordsJulAugust: 6,353 recordsAugSeptember: 3,216 recordsSepOctober: 1,910 recordsOctNovember: 849 recordsNovDecember: 927 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[30].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January898
February2,062
March1,952
April1,862
May4,262
June5,251
July5,406
August6,353
September3,216
October1,910
November849
December927

Where to see it

This species is protected or at risk, so we show its range only at the state level. We do not publish parks, nesting, spawning or wintering sites.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey[19]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the loggerhead sea turtle endangered?
It depends on the population group. The Northwest Atlantic group is listed as Threatened, while some other groups, such as the North Pacific group, are listed as Endangered[10][6]. NatureServe ranks it Vulnerable worldwide[2].
Where does the loggerhead sea turtle live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 19 US states and territories, from Texas and Florida up the Atlantic coast to Maine, and also California and Oregon[3]. It uses bays, tidal waters, near shore waters and the open sea[20].
What does the loggerhead sea turtle eat?
Adults eat marine invertebrates such as crabs and mollusks, some fish and a few plants[23]. NatureServe lists adults as piscivore, invertivore and herbivore[22].
How big is a loggerhead sea turtle?
NatureServe records a typical length of 92 cm (36 in) and a typical adult weight of 113 kg (249 lb)[24][25].
How long do loggerhead sea turtles live?
The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 77 years[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the South Pacific south of the equator, north of 60 degrees S. Lat., west of 67... USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Loggerhead Sea Turtle: G3 (Vulnerable). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Loggerhead Sea Turtle as native in 19 US states and territories: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 77 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) is a reptile in the family Cheloniidae, order Testudines. NatureServe Explorer
  6. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean west of 40 degrees... USFWS ECOS
  7. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N3B (Vulnerable (breeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  8. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Vulnerable. NatureServe Explorer
  9. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Mediterranean Sea DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Mediterranean Sea east of 5 degrees 36 minues W. Long.. USFWS ECOS
  10. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: North Pacific Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the North Pacific north of the equator and south of 60... USFWS ECOS
  11. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix I (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: North Indian Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the North Indian Ocean north of the equator and south... USFWS ECOS
  13. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Endangered, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Northeast Atlantic Ocean DPS - Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean north of the... USFWS ECOS
  14. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the South Atlantic Ocean south of the equator, north of 60 degrees S. Lat., west... USFWS ECOS
  15. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Southeast Indian Ocean south of the equator, north of 60 degrees S. Lat.,... USFWS ECOS
  16. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Loggerhead sea turtle has the status Threatened, listed July 23, 1978 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Southwest Indian Ocean north of the equator, south of 30 degrees N. Lat.,... USFWS ECOS
  17. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to 1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe state ranks for Loggerhead Sea Turtle (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  19. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Loggerhead Sea Turtle: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  20. Habitat types NatureServe records for Loggerhead Sea Turtle: Sand/dune, Bay/sound, River mouth/tidal river, Lagoon, Tidal flat/shore, Pelagic, Near shore. NatureServe Explorer
  21. NatureServe notes on habitat for Loggerhead Sea Turtle. NatureServe Explorer
  22. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Piscivore, Invertivore, Herbivore. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on food for Loggerhead Sea Turtle. NatureServe Explorer
  24. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 92 cm (36 in). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 113 kg (249 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  26. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 115. AnAge
  27. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 60 days. AnAge
  28. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 3,650 days (about 10.0 years). AnAge
  29. NatureServe migration category for Loggerhead Sea Turtle: local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  30. GBIF observation records of Loggerhead Sea Turtle in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: ukanda, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.