Alaska Turtles: Identification Guide With Pictures

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Where in Alaska

In Alaska, there have been 15 green sea turtle sightings since 1960. Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Conservation

ESA: Endangered (Breeding populations in Florida and the Pacific coast of Mexico), Threatened (All other populations)

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Size

Adults 5 to 6 feet long, 750 to 1,000 pounds (NOAA). Texas Parks and Wildlife cites weights up to 1,300 lb and shells up to 8 feet.

How to recognize it

• The only sea turtle that lacks scales and a hard shell.
• Front flippers proportionally longer than in other sea turtles; rear flippers paddle-shaped.
• Usually a pink spot on top of the head that can identify individuals.

Where in Alaska

19 leatherbacks have been reported in Alaska between 1960 and 2007. Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Conservation

ESA: Endangered

Full Leatherback Sea Turtle guide

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Caretta caretta

Size

Adults 2.5 to 3.5 feet long and 200 to 350 pounds (NOAA). NCWRC gives 31 to 45 inches shell length and 170 to 350 pounds; SCDNR says adults can weigh as much as 300 pounds and reach up to four feet in shell length.

How to recognize it

• Very large head with powerful jaws.
• Slightly heart-shaped top shell.
• Two pairs of scales (prefrontal scutes) between the eyes above the nostrils; two claws on each flipper.

Where in Alaska

Though rare in Alaska, loggerhead sea turtles occasionally visit Alaska’s Gulf Coast waters. They have been reported in Alaska only twice between 1960 and 2007. Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Conservation

ESA: Threatened

Full Loggerhead Sea Turtle guide

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Lepidochelys olivacea

Where in Alaska

Olive Ridley sea turtles have been reported in Alaska three times between 1960 and 2007. Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Conservation

ESA: Endangered (Mexico breeding populations), Threatened (All other populations)