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
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
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
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
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!

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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 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 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 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 Photo Credit: NMFS