Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle, common name for a group of marine turtles having streamlined shells and limbs modified into paddlelike flippers. The loggerhead and the olive ridley sea turtles have true, but loosely attached, carapaces (upper shells) and plastrons (lower shells). The leatherback turtle lacks a solid, bony carapace and is the only living turtle to have free ribs and vertebrae. The green turtle, which is named for the color of its fat, is much hunted for market. The hawksbill has also been hunted for its shell and has been classified as a threatened species.

Scientific classification: The leatherback is the sole representative of the family Dermochelyidae and is classified as Dermochelys coriacea. The loggerhead, olive ridley, green, and hawksbill turtles are all members of the family Cheloniidae. The loggerhead is classified as Caretta caretta, the ridley as Lepidochelys olivacea, the green turtle as Chelonia mydas, and the hawksbill as Eretmochelys imbricata.

Sea Turtle Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.