57. CARETTA 



The carapace is brownish or blackish above. The plas- 

 tron is yellowish. 



The usual length of carapace is between two and three 

 feet, but specimens a foot longer sometimes are taken. 



Distribution. — The tropical and subtropical waters of the 

 Pacific Ocean are included in the range of this Loggerhead 

 Turtle. One very young individual was collected near San 

 Jose del Cabo, Lower California. An adult was captured 

 at sea at latitude 22 degrees between Cerros'and San Bene- 

 dicto islands. The species has not been recorded from Cali- 

 fornia but may perhaps occasionally visit our coast. 



Remarks. — Large specimens may weigh nearly 500 

 pounds. Usually their weight is much less. This turtle 

 often is met far from land. It is not used as food. 



Habits. — Loggerhead Turtles more often are met in 

 mid-ocean than either the Green or the Shell turtles. Like 

 these species they resort to sandy beaches to lay their eggs 

 in pits which they dig. They seem to be chiefly carnivorous, 

 eating crabs, molluscs, and fish. 



Family 20. DERMOCHELID^ 



This family contains only the marine turtles of the genus 

 Dermochelys, variously known as the Leather-backed Turtle, 

 Trunk Turtle, Luth, Lyre Turtle, Harp Turtle, or Leathery 

 Turtle. The Atlantic and Pacific Ocean turtles now are 

 regarded as specifically distinct, but are as yet little known. 

 These turtles reach a size greater than that of any other 

 existing turtle. The shell is without horny shields. The 

 vertebrae and ribs are not fused with the carapace. 



