Flatback
sea turtles are the only species of turtles endemic to one country
(Australia). They occur throughout northern Australia nesting on
tropical and sub-tropical beaches.
Flatback
turtles are characterised by their low domed grey-green carapace
with reflex margins. Adult females have an average curved carapace
length of around 92cm and weight of 90kg.
Flatback
turtles are mostly carnivorous feeding on jellyfish, sea cucumbers,
sea pens and soft corals.
Flatback
hatchlings are the largest of the Cheloniidae turtle species measuring
approx. 6cm in carapace length and weighing 43g. Consequently the
adult flatback turtles have a smaller clutch size than other species,
laying only 50 eggs.
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