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The Largest Hatchlings Of Any Sea Turtleįlatback sea turtle hatchlings are the largest of any sea turtle. Because of this it is susceptible to cracks or other damage. The flatback turtle’s carapace is thinner than that of the other hard-shelled sea turtles. The flatback sea turtle’s limbs and head are grey / olive green. The underside of the shell (the plastron) is pale yellow-white. The scutes (the large plates) of the flatback’s carapace do not overlap. The turtle’s carapace is grey, olive green or brown in color. Around the outer edges the shell becomes flat or even slightly upturned. The carapace is flatter, and not as steeply-domed, as that of other sea turtles. The flatback sea turtle is recognizable by the shape of its carapace (upper shell). It is larger than the olive and Kemp’s ridley turtles, but not as large as the green, loggerhead or leatherback turtles. It has an average length of around 90 cm (35.5 in.), and weight of 73 kg (161 lb.). The flatback sea turtle is a mid-sized sea turtle. What Does The Flatback Sea Turtle Look Like?
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Now let’s find out more about this amazing reptile … You can see some excellent footage of hatchling flatback sea turtles in the video below: It nests only on the beaches of northern Australia, and is only found off the coasts of Australia and New Guinea. Unlike other sea turtles, the flatback turtle does not migrate long distances. The flatback turtle is so-called because of the distinctive flat shape of its carapace (upper shell). It has a hard shell, and its limbs have adapted into flippers, with which it propels itself through the water. The flatback turtle is a large marine reptile, and one of the 7 species of sea turtle living today. Love sea turtles? You can see a selection of awesome sea turtle gifts at our companion site, Wild Gateway.Meet The Flatback Sea Turtle: Introduction
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It nests only on the northern coastline of Australia. Other interesting flatback Sea Turtle facts: The flatback sea turtle doesn’t migrate and has the smallest range of all sea turtles.Length: carapace (shell) length 80 – 96 cm (31 – 38 in.).Where Found: Coastal waters of Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea.Other Name(s): Australian flatback sea turtle, flatback turtle.Photo by Lyndie Malan Flatback Sea Turtle Facts At A Glance This page is part of our sea turtles series. We continue to advocate against allowing any new oil and gas exploration and development along the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.Flatback sea turtle facts, pictures and information.
#Flatback seaturtle description series#
We created a series of educational materials against the illegal trade of sea turtle products, including a sea turtle identification guide widely used by scientists and government authorities. Internationally we successfully stopped proposals to renew commerce with hawksbills in CITES and promoted sea turtle conservation resolutions in the InterAmerican Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles. In Mexico, we helped change wildlife and fisheries regulations to forbid capture and trade of sea turtle products, as well as promoted the use of safe fishing gear to decrease sea turtle bycatch in shark fisheries, protection measures and correct management of nesting sites. In California, Defenders is currently advocating for a law that phases out the use of harmful drift gillnets while promoting sustainable, local fisheries. Defenders also promotes the vigilant use of turtle excluder devises (TEDs) and innovative fishing practices to reduce sea turtle deaths in trawling nets. We strive to reform harmful fisheries that kill thousands of sea turtles every year and have successfully advocated for new rules on Cape Hatteras National Seashore to limit off-road vehicles on the beach to protect nesting sites. In the Southeast and along the Gulf of Mexico, we work to preserve nesting beaches and foraging areas, improve coastal-construction policies so that jetties and sea walls do not prevent turtles from nesting, promote responsible lighting along nesting beaches, encourage local residents, visitors and businesses to remove trash that attracts raccoons and other predators that devour eggs and hatchlings, and organize workshops and beach clean-ups.
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