Loggerhead sea turtles are amazing marine creatures with an extremely large range that encompasses all but the coldest polar waters. Since 1978, loggerheads have been listed on the EPA's endangered and threatened species list. Some of the major causes of loggerhead decline are shrimp trawling, water pollution, and loss of nesting habitat due to human development. While the battle for survival may be particularly hard for loggerheads, a species that reaches sexual maturity at 35 years, there are a number of things that you can do personally to help them.

About Loggerheads

According to National Geographic, loggerheads are the most common sea turtle species in U.S. coastal waters, though their range can include places as diverse as Argentina and Oman. Feeding mainly on crabs, jellyfish, and conchs, they are carnivores that can weigh over 250 lbs. Like other sea turtles, female loggerheads come to the beach to lay their eggs. When the highly vulnerable baby turtles hatch, they scramble to the sea in a frenzy to begin their marine life.

Conservation Efforts

Loggerheads are protected under a number of international treaties and agreements, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. One of the most important measures pushed by conservationists is the development of turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawl nets.

Organizations

So what can you do to help these magnificent animals? There are dozens of important sea turtle protection organizations these days asking for donations or volunteers. National Geographic lists the organization State of The World's Turtles (SWOT) as one of them. SWOT connects turtle lovers to the large network of turtle conservationists and activists. According to their website, the group "seeks to create a permanent global network of specialists working to accelerate the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats, pooling and synthesizing data, and regularly sharing the information with audiences who can make a difference." Tax-deductible donations are accepted and you can even submit data that you've collected about sea turtles. Other organizations worth noting include Save The Turtles Inc., Canadian Sea Turtle Network, and National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation. You should also check for local organizations if you live near a coast inhabited by loggerheads or other sea turtles.

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Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

SWOT