VIDEO: Massive Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Fort Lauderdale
Check out this huge loggerhead sea turtle we encountered on a dive in Fort Lauderdale.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles
One of the most common sea turtles found in south Florida is the loggerhead. In fact, the shores of South Florida from Jupiter to Miami are some of the busiest loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites in the world!
However, you know what’s not a commonly seen sea turtle in South Florida?! A loggerhead THIS big!
Loggerhead sea turtles can weigh upwards of 300 lbs and have a carapace of 3 feet in length. This particular sea turtle seemed to be pushing those limits. This thing was HUGE.
Listed as vulnerable under the Endangered Species Act, loggerhead sea turtle numbers have been steadily decreasing for years. That’s why spotting one this large was a refreshing sight to see in a sea of dying marine life. In all likelihood, he/she was 50+ years of age.
Read More About Sea Turtles and Diving in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few more ocean-loving articles we think you should read next:
- How to Help Save Sea Turtles: 16 Dos and Don’ts
- Meet the Sea Turtles of Florida
- 11 Reasons to Dive in Fort Lauderdale
- 10 Must-see Dive Sites in Fort Lauderdale
Have you seen any sea turtles while diving before? Which kind were they? Let us know in a comment below!