Caretta caretta Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle

    Very rarely one may discover a recently hatched Loggerhead Turtle. This particular hatchling had left quite an impressive track on the beach, spanning some 15 meters, as it attempted to get to the surf. This species, which can grow to a weight of about 454 kgs. (1000 lbs), normally hatches during the hours of darkness and instinctively heads out to sea. The below illustrated specimen may have been late in hatching or was washed in upon the beach by heavy surf. Three turtle nests were in the immediate vicinity of the wayward juvenile. 

Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle

Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle

Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle

Mayport Naval Station Beach, Duval County, Florida (about 115 mm.)