The most mysterious member of the sea turtle family, little is known of the flatback turtle, which has a limited range off the coast of Australia.
Flatback turtle
Flatback hatchling.
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Common Name
Flatback; Chelonée à dos plat, tortue marine à dos plat (Fr); Tortuga franca oriental (Sp)
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Scientific Name
Natator depressus
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Population
Approx. 10,000 nesting females
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Status
IUCN: Data Deficient CITES: Appendix I
A sedentary turtle
Flatback sea turtles are found in coastal waters, and are reported to bask in the sun at the surface, sometimes with sea birds perched on their backs.
These turtles prefer shallow, soft-bottomed sea bed habitats that are far from reefs. They only very rarely leave the shallow waters of the continental shelf, and nest only in northern Australia, where beaches on small offshore islands are the most important sites. This is in stark contrast to the behaviour of all other marine turtle species, except for Kemp's ridley.
Physical Description
The flatback has a flat body and smooth carapace (shell) with upturned edges. It is also recognized by a single pair of prefrontal scales at the front of the head, and 4 pairs of costal scutes on the carapace.
Size
Adults flatbacks may reach 90kg and up to 1m in length.
Colour
The carapace of this turtle is yellow-grey or a green-grey, while the plastron (underside) is usually pale yellow.
Breeding
The nesting season runs from October to February in Queensland's Northern Territory, but may extend to the entire year in Northwestern Australia. Flatbacks can nest up to 4 times in a season, and the interval between each nesting event may be anywhere between 13 and 18 days. An average of 50 eggs are laid each time.
Diet
The flatback turtle is predominantly carnivorous, feeding on squid, sea cucumbers, soft corals, and mollusks.
These turtles prefer shallow, soft-bottomed sea bed habitats that are far from reefs. They only very rarely leave the shallow waters of the continental shelf, and nest only in northern Australia, where beaches on small offshore islands are the most important sites. This is in stark contrast to the behaviour of all other marine turtle species, except for Kemp's ridley.
Physical Description
The flatback has a flat body and smooth carapace (shell) with upturned edges. It is also recognized by a single pair of prefrontal scales at the front of the head, and 4 pairs of costal scutes on the carapace.
Size
Adults flatbacks may reach 90kg and up to 1m in length.
Colour
The carapace of this turtle is yellow-grey or a green-grey, while the plastron (underside) is usually pale yellow.
Breeding
The nesting season runs from October to February in Queensland's Northern Territory, but may extend to the entire year in Northwestern Australia. Flatbacks can nest up to 4 times in a season, and the interval between each nesting event may be anywhere between 13 and 18 days. An average of 50 eggs are laid each time.
Diet
The flatback turtle is predominantly carnivorous, feeding on squid, sea cucumbers, soft corals, and mollusks.
Major habitat type
Tropical upwelling
Biogeographic realm
Australasia
Range States
Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Geographical Location
Central Indo-Pacific
Ecological Region
Southern Australian Marine, Western Australia Marine, Great Barrier Reef
Tropical upwelling
Biogeographic realm
Australasia
Range States
Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Geographical Location
Central Indo-Pacific
Ecological Region
Southern Australian Marine, Western Australia Marine, Great Barrier Reef
What are the main threats?
The main threats which affect marine turtles are:
Flatbacks are also threatened by predation by foxes, feral dogs and pigs and more recently the occurence of green turtle fibropapillomatosis. Its restricted range means that the flatback is extremely vulnerable to habitat loss, especially of breeding sites, but the most serious threat appears to be incidental catch by fishing vessels operating in the area.
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Wildlife trade
- Collection of eggs and meat for consumption
- Incidental capture (bycatch)
- Climate change
- Pollution
Flatbacks are also threatened by predation by foxes, feral dogs and pigs and more recently the occurence of green turtle fibropapillomatosis. Its restricted range means that the flatback is extremely vulnerable to habitat loss, especially of breeding sites, but the most serious threat appears to be incidental catch by fishing vessels operating in the area.
Flatback turtles are a priority species. WWF treats priority species as one of the most ecologically, economically and/or culturally important species on our planet. And so we are working to ensure such species can live and thrive in their natural habitats.
What is WWF doing?
WWF works to protect marine turtles throughout the world through specialist programmes and regional projects devoted to the conservation of marine turtles.
This includes:
This includes:
- Action to address the impacts of climate change
- Monitoring the migration patterns of marine turtles
- Improving and supporting trade controls
- Protecting nesting sites
- Reducing bycatch and promoting smart fishing
Large circle hooks significantly reduce the mortality of marine turtles in longlines. WWF promotes smart fishing to reduce bycatch.
How you can help
- Send a turtle to rehab! Help the recuperation process for thousands of sick and injured turtles.
- Spread the word! Click on the button to share this information with others via email or your favourite social networking service.
