Flatback Sea Turtle

Overview

The flatback sea turtle is native to the coastal waters and continental shelf regions of Australia, extending into parts of the Indonesian archipelago and Papua New Guinea. Unlike many other marine turtles, it lacks an open-ocean pelagic stage, remaining within coastal, soft-bottomed environments throughout its life. It gets its distinctive common name from its notably flattened carapace.

Appearance

This species features an olive-green to grey shell with an upturned rim and a cream-colored underside. The shell has a lower, flatter dome compared to other sea turtle species. Hatchlings of this species emerge notably larger than the young of other sea turtles.

Feeding

Flatbacks are carnivorous animals that forage primarily in shallow, subtidal environments. Their diet consists of soft-bodied marine invertebrates such as sea cucumbers, jellyfish, soft corals, prawns, mollusks, and sea pens.

Reproduction

Females come ashore to nest on sandy mainland beaches and inshore islands across northern Australia. Depending on the region, nesting can occur during specific seasonal peaks or year-round. Females lay smaller clutches of relatively large eggs compared to other marine turtle species, and the resulting hatchlings' large size provides them with better protection from coastal predators.