Sea Turtle Identification

Leatherback Sea Turtles:

Leatherback turtles are the most commonly seen sea turtle in coastal BC waters, and it is virtually impossible to mistake for any other sea life.

  • Can be greater than 6 feet long, weigh up to one tonne, and has very large flippers
  • Seven ridges run along their back (looks like the bottom of a boat)
  • Browny-black color with speckled white markings on the head and flippers
 Leatherback Sea Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Photo Credit: Ocean Concervancy

Green Sea Turtles:

Green turtles are the next most likely visitors to our coast. 

  • Up to 4 feet long.
  • Oval shaped shell made up of boney plates called scutes.
  • Shell colour varies from pale to dark green and from plain colour to vivid combinations of yellow, brown and green.
Green Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Photo Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Loggerhead Sea Turtles*:
  • Approximately 3 feet long
  • Heart shaped shell
  • Reddish in colour
  • Large head and jaws
 Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Photo Credit: Tony Westman

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles*:
  • Up to 3 feet long
  • Nearly round shell
  • Uniform grey or olive colour
 Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
Photo Credit: NMFS

*  To date, there have been no sightings of Loggerhead and Olive Ridley turtles in BC waters.  They have, however, been seen in Washington state and Alaska, so keep your eyes peeled!

Click here to Report a Sea Turtle Sighting.

 

 

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