Florida’s five sea turtles

Five species of sea turtles can be found in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Average weight: 275 pounds

Diet: clams, crabs, sea urchin

Facts: Named for its block-like head, the vulnerable loggerhead is the most common sea turtle in Florida.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Average weight: 350 pounds

Diet: seagrass and algae

Facts: As the name suggests, endangered green turtles are strikingly green.

Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)

Average weight: 500 to 1,500 pounds

Diet: jellyfish

Facts: With their leathery shells, leatherbacks are massive and capable of diving to depths of more than 3,000 feet.

The Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Average weight: 85 to 100 pounds

Diet: crustaceans and mollusks

Facts: This turtle species is considered the most endangered species of sea turtle, with fewer than 1,000 nesting females in the world.

Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Average weight: 100 to 200 pounds

Diet: sponges and sea anemones

Facts: These turtles are critically endangered due in part to their beautiful tortoiseshells, which have long been harvested to make jewelry and other decorations.