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Other marine turtle species in Australia
Flatback turtles are one of six marine turtle species that can be found in Australia. Five of these species can be found nesting in Western Australia – four on both the mainland and islands (flatback, green, hawksbill and loggerhead) and one only on islands (olive ridley).
Australian turtles distribution map
Disclaimer:
The data included in this graph is the property of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. This data is to be used only for educational purposes and not for distribution, publication or commercial use. Data may have been de-identified or excluded in the process of making it available to the public domain and is subject to change following further curation and analysis.
Green turtles are the most common species of marine turtle in Western Australia, with their name coming from the fact that their fat is coloured green due to their diet. Their carapace (or shell) is a high dome and they are coloured from light to dark green with dark mottling. They can grow up to 1.5m in length and can weigh up to 200kg. Photo - Maggie Wright/Ningaloo Turtle Program
Hawksbill turtles have a unique beak that resembles a bird of prey and a patterned shell with thick, overlapping scales that was once used to make ‘tortoiseshell’ jewellery and is prized by poachers. They can grow up to 90cm in length and can weigh up to almost 70kg. Photo - Tristan Simpson/DBCA
Loggerhead turtles have a large head in comparison with their body, with strong jaws that help them eat their preferred diet of hard-shelled animals such as sea urchins. Their colouring ranges from red brown to brown. They can grow up to 1.2m in length and can weigh up to 180kg. Photo - Craig Duncan
Olive ridley turtles are the smallest of the marine turtles, with a grey-green shell that is shaped like a heart. They can grow up to 70cm and can weigh up to 50kg. Photo - DBCA
Leatherback turtles are easily distinguishable from other marine turtles due to their unique ridged carapace. They are the largest species of marine turtles, growing up to lengths of 2.5m and weighing up to 900kg (about the weight of a Clydesdale horse). This species does not nest in Western Australia. Photo - Wikipedia
