Loggerhead Sea Turtle Hatchling
Caretta caretta (hatchling)
Newly emerged hatchlings scramble from sandy nests toward the surf and spend their first days in nearshore waters before drifting into open-ocean nursery habitat. They feed on tiny floating animals, fish eggs, and other small prey found around seaweed mats. Their small size makes them vulnerable to birds, crabs, fish, and many other predators. A notable fact is that hatchlings use the brightness of the open horizon and wave direction to help orient toward the sea.
- Type
- Water / Shell
- Conservation status
- VU
Growth chain
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle Hatchling
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle Juvenile
- ?