Flatback Sea Turtle

Editor’s note: This is part of a series highlighting the seven species of sea turtles during #SeaTurtleWeek. A different species will be highlighted each day. For more information on other Sea Turtle Week activities offered by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, please go to our website or visit us on Facebook and Instagram.

As part of Sea Turtle Week, each day we will look at a different one of the world’s seven species of sea turtles. Today, we are going to head to the Land Down Under and find out more about the flatback sea turtle.

The flatback sea turtle looks just like its name. It has a flat carapace, or shell, which is unlike the curved shell of other sea turtle species.

Here are some flatback fast facts:

• These sea turtles have the smallest distribution of all the species and breed and nest only in Australia.
• Flatbacks are preyed upon by saltwater crocodiles, the largest reptile on Earth. Adult females have been observed being attacked by these crocodiles while attempting to nest.
• When compared to other sea turtles that may lay 100-200 eggs per nest, flatback sea turtles lay an average of 50 eggs per nest.

To learn more about flatback sea turtles, look here.