Австралийская плоская морская черепаха: описание и особенности

Species of turtle

The Australian flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus) is a species of sea turtle in the family Cheloniidae. The species is endemic to the sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters of the Australian continental shelf. This turtle gets its common name from the fact that its shell has a flattened or lower dome than the other sea turtles. It can be olive green to grey with a cream underside. It averages from 76 to 96 cm (30 to 38 inches) in carapace length and can weigh from 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb). The hatchlings, when emerging from nests, are larger than other sea turtle hatchlings when they hatch. The flatback turtle is listed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as data deficient, meaning there is insufficient scientific information to determine its conservation status at this time. Very large specimens are reported to weigh up to The females of this species are larger than the males in adulthood and also have been found to have longer tails than their male counterparts. Another unique feature of this species of sea turtle is the fact that its carapace is found to be much thinner than other sea turtle carapaces.

The flatback sea turtle has the smallest range of the seven sea turtles. It is found in the continental shelf and coastal waters of tropic regions. It does not travel long distances in the open ocean for migrations like other sea turtles. It can typically be found in waters of or less in depth. It does not have a global distribution like the other sea turtles. The flatback sea turtle can be found along the coastal waters of Northern Australia, the Tropic of Capricorn, and the coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. Its distribution within Australia is in the areas of eastern Queensland, Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. The distribution of nesting sites can be found across Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, with the greatest concentration found in Queensland, in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The peak of hatchling emergence can be seen during February. Mating occurs while the male and female are out at sea; therefore, the males will never return to shore after they hatch. The hatchlings also face predation from crabs, sea birds, and juvenile saltwater crocodiles on their journey to the waters. However, the flatback sea turtle is listed as vulnerable nationally in Australia. However, the increased nest temperature did not reduce the success of the hatchlings or the hatchling body size, but it did accelerate the development of the embryo.