Five Sea Turtle Species in the Gulf of Mexico
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) – Most common; large, up to 3 ft and 350 lbs; brown/olive shell, yellow/orange head and flippers.
- Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) – Most endangered; small, up to 2 ft and 100 lbs; gray/olive shell, yellow/orange head and flippers; primarily western Gulf.
- Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) – Large, up to 5 ft and 350 lbs; green/olive shell, black/brown head and flippers; abundant in southern Gulf.
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) – Small, up to 3 ft and 150 lbs; brown/olive shell, yellow/orange head and flippers; southern Gulf.
- Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) – Largest sea turtle, up to 6 ft and 2,000 lbs; black/brown leathery shell, white/yellow underside; northern Gulf.
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