What is the flatback turtle?
Q: What is the flatback turtle?
A: The flatback turtle is a species of turtle that is endemic to the sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters of the Australian continental shelf.
Q: What was the flatback turtle previously called?
A: The flatback turtle was previously called Chelonia depressa.
Q: How is the flatback turtle different from other turtles?
A: The flatback turtle gets its common name from the fact that its shell has a flattened or lower dome than the other turtles.
Q: How large can the flatback turtle grow?
A: The flatback turtle can grow from 76 to 96 cm (30 to 38 inches) in carapace length and can weigh from 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb).
Q: What is the conservation status of the flatback turtle?
A: The flatback turtle is listed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Data Deficient, meaning there is insufficient scientific information to decide its conservation status at present.
Q: Why is the flatback turtle the least endangered of all sea-going turtles?
A: Unlike other turtles, there is not a big human demand for the meat of the flatback. It does not swim far from shore, so it does not get caught in nets as often as other sea turtles. These reasons may be why it is not in more danger of extinction.
Q: How large are hatchlings when the flatback turtle emerges from nests?
A: The hatchlings of the flatback turtle are larger than other turtle hatchlings.
