Loggerhead Turtle in Cozumel
Loggerhead Turtle (*Caretta caretta*) in Cozumel: how to identify it, where it is occasionally seen, and what it is commonly confused with.
An unmistakably large, blocky head — much bigger in proportion than the other two turtles — with a reddish-brown heart-shaped shell.
Quick ID
| Scientific name | Caretta caretta |
|---|---|
| Group | Turtles |
| Typical size | 90–110 cm shell length |
| Depth range | 3–30 m |
| When to see it | Year-round, nesting May–October |
| Active | Daytime |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Notes | Protected species |
Where You Will See It In Cozumel
The least common of the three on Cozumel reefs. Occasional sightings on the deeper southern reefs and at Punta Sur.
Reliable sites: Punta Sur, Colombia Deep, Maracaibo.
Behaviour
The big head houses the jaw muscle needed to crush conch, whelks and crabs — a diet neither of the other Cozumel turtles takes.
Commonly Confused With
- Green turtle — Proportionally small rounded head, smooth olive shell.
- Hawksbill turtle — Narrow pointed beak, overlapping plates.
Diving Etiquette And Safety
Protected. Same rules: no touching, no blocking the route to the surface.
Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip
Photo: Thomas Brown, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
