Marine turtles are a group of large, air-breathing reptiles that spend most of their lives in the ocean. They belong to the family Cheloniidae and the genus Dermochelyidae, and there are seven species of these reptiles found in oceans all over the world, except for the polar regions.

These animals are easily recognizable due to their distinctive shells, which consist of a hard upper shell, known as the carapace, and a lower shell called the plastron.

Diving to find Marine turtles in Tenerife

Sea turtles have evolved to live in the ocean. They have streamlined bodies and powerful flippers that allow them to swim long distances. These animals can hold their breath for extended periods of time, and some species are able to dive to depths of up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) to forage for food.

Sea turtles play an important role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem. They feed on jellyfish, sponges, sea grasses, and other marine organisms. They are also a vital source of food for predators such as sharks.

Unfortunately, sea turtles are endangered or threatened due to human activities such as habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these amazing animals and their habitats.

Currently, there are 7 species of marine turtles in the world:

• Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

(These first 4 species are usually present around the Iberian Peninsular coasts and archipelagos.)

• Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
• Flatback turtle (Natator depressus)
• Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Marine turtles of the Iberian Peninsula

In the Mediterranean, there are only three frequent species: the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). However, there are more species of these marine reptiles that pass through the Mediterranean less frequently, such as the Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), which is usually found in the Gulf of Mexico, but during its migrations, it can pass through the Mediterranean area.

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)

Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) can be found in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. These turtles are named for their large head, which is distinctively larger than that of other sea turtle species. Loggerheads are considered to be a threatened species due to habitat destruction, pollution, and the harvesting of their eggs and meat.

Adult loggerheads found in this region typically measure around 90-110 cm (35-43 inches) in carapace length and weigh around 135 kg (300 pounds). They have a reddish-brown carapace and a yellowish plastron. Their heads are large and wide, and their jaws are powerful, allowing them to eat hard-shelled prey such as crustaceans and mollusks.

Loggerhead turtles are known for their long migrations, which can cover thousands of kilometers. They typically mate and nest on beaches in warmer waters, with females returning to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs. The nesting season in this region typically lasts from June to September.

Loggerhead turtles face a number of threats in the wild, including entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of marine debris, and loss of nesting habitat due to coastal development. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these turtles in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, including the use of turtle excluder devices on fishing gear and the designation of protected areas for nesting beaches.

• Read more: https://tortugastenerife.com/en/loggerhead-sea-turtle-caretta-caretta/ (Tortugas de Tenerife is there to raise awareness for the care and conservation of the marine fauna of the Canary Islands.

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) can also be found in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. These turtles are named for their greenish-colored fat and are considered to be a threatened species due to habitat destruction, pollution, and the harvesting of their eggs and meat.

Adult green turtles found in this region typically measure around 90-110 cm (35-43 inches) in carapace length and weigh around 135 kg (300 pounds). They have a heart-shaped carapace with shades of brown, green, and black, and a yellowish plastron. Their heads are small in proportion to their body size, and they have a serrated jaw that is adapted for their herbivorous diet of seagrasses and algae.

Green turtles also undertake long migrations, traveling from their foraging grounds to their nesting beaches. They typically mate and nest on beaches in warmer waters, with females returning to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs. The nesting season for green turtles in this region typically lasts from July to September.

Green turtles face similar threats to loggerhead turtles, including entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of marine debris, and loss of nesting habitat due to coastal development. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these turtles in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, including the use of turtle excluder devices on fishing gear and the designation of protected areas for nesting beaches.

• Read more: https://tortugastenerife.com/en/green-sea-turtle-chelonia-mydas/ (Tortugas de Tenerife is there to raise awareness for the care and conservation of the marine fauna of the Canary Islands.

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are also found in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, although they are less common than loggerhead and green turtles. These turtles are the largest of all sea turtle species, reaching lengths of up to 2 meters (6 feet) and weights of up to 700 kg (1500 pounds). They are named for their unique leathery shell, which lacks the hard scutes found in other sea turtle species.

Leatherback turtles have a distinctive appearance, with a dark gray or black carapace with white spots and ridges running the length of their body. They have a pinkish-white plastron and their heads are small in proportion to their body size. Leatherback turtles have a diet that mainly consists of jellyfish.

Leatherback turtles also undertake long migrations, traveling from their foraging grounds to their nesting beaches. They typically mate and nest on beaches in warmer waters, with females returning to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs. The nesting season for leatherback turtles in this region typically lasts from May to July.

Like other sea turtle species, leatherback turtles face a number of threats in the wild, including entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of marine debris, and loss of nesting habitat due to coastal development. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these turtles in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, including the use of turtle excluder devices on fishing gear and the designation of protected areas for nesting beaches.

• WWF has an informative article about this species: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/leatherback-turtle
• Wikipedia has an extensive article for further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherback_sea_turtle

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is also present in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, although it is not as common as the loggerhead or green turtles. These turtles are named for their sharp, pointed beak, which they use to feed on sponges and other invertebrates.

Hawksbill turtles have a distinctive appearance, with a flattened, oval-shaped carapace that is characterized by overlapping scutes that give the shell a “serrated” appearance. The scutes are made of a horn-like material that is highly prized for its beauty and durability, and has historically been used to make jewelry, combs, and other decorative objects. However, the harvesting of hawksbill turtle shells is now illegal in most countries due to the devastating impact it has had on turtle populations.

Hawksbill turtles are typically found in shallow, coastal waters, and they undertake shorter migrations than other sea turtle species. They are known to nest on beaches in the Caribbean and Atlantic regions, but their nesting habits in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula are not well understood.

Like other sea turtle species, hawksbill turtles face a number of threats in the wild, including entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of marine debris, and loss of nesting habitat due to coastal development. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these turtles in the waters around the Iberian Peninsula, including the designation of protected areas for foraging and nesting habitat.

• WWF have a great article about the hawksbill turtle: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/hawksbill-turtle
• Wikipedia has an interesting entry as well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawksbill_sea_turtle

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clive

I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.