The loggerhead turtle is the sea turtle most often seen in Maltese waters, and in recent years it has begun nesting on a small number of Maltese beaches.
The loggerhead is the turtle most often encountered around Malta and Gozo. It feeds mainly on jellyfish, crabs and shellfish, and can live for several decades. Female loggerheads come ashore at night to lay their eggs in the sand, and in recent years a number of nests have been recorded on Maltese sandy beaches.
Hatchlings make their way to the sea by moving towards the brightest horizon, usually the reflection of the moon and stars on the water. Female loggerheads often return to nest on or near the beach where they themselves hatched. The temperature of the sand can influence whether a loggerhead hatchling is male or female.
Did you know? Loggerhead turtles can live for 50 years or more, and some may reach 70 or 80 years old. These turtles can travel thousands of kilometres across the Mediterranean and beyond during their lifetime.
Threats
Plastic bags (mistaken for jellyfish), fishing lines and nets, boat strikes, and lights and crowds on nesting beaches.
How to help
Keep plastic out of the sea. If you see a turtle in trouble or tracks and eggs on a beach, keep your distance, keep dogs and lights away, and report it straight away to ERA.
Photo: Eco cruising, CC BY-SA 4.0.
