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Loggerhead Turtle

Caretta caretta

Photo by Kristian Bell
Published on Project Noah
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27.1874, -82.5049

Field Notes

Description:

This guy was the subject of a seminal research paper that showed that conservation through the protection of nests, hatchlings and young were far less important than the protection of full-grown, breeding females. Huge numbers of turtles are caught by commercial fishing as unwanted bycatch. The recognition of the importance of conserving breeding females helped lead to the mandatory use of several measures to help minimise the accidental catch of these beautiful animals.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
Scott Frazier
That's true with other reptile species as well like crocodiles (where I am located). In both subsistence and commercial scenarios, utilizing the offspring (or eggs) is by far the better, most sustainable option because the vast majority of eggs, hatchlings, juveniles will naturally undergo mortality before they can breed themselves. Removing a breeding female has a far far greater longer term impact on the population.

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Mission
Reptiles of the World

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Photographed
PublishedMarch 17, 2012

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