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Species descriptions and distribution
Brother King works primarily with the endangered Hawksbill Turtle species. However, there are many other important and interesting ocean turtles that are severely threatened. Below you will find an outline of major ocean turtle species. The photos are of posters Brother King had displayed on his sanctuary walls.
- Green Turtle:
Length 90-110 cm (35-34 in). Weight 113-182 kg (250-400 lbs). Tropical oceans except East Pacific. Eats seagrasses and seaweeds.
- East Pacific Green Turtle:
Length 71-91 cm (28-36 in). Weight 36-64 kg (80-140 lbs). Mexico to Pero and Galapagos Islands. Eats seaweeds. Not universally recognized as a separate species.
- Hawksbill:
Length 71-91 cm (28-36 in). Weight 36-64 kg (80-140 lbs). Tropical oceans near coral or rocky reefs.
- Loggerhead:
Length 96-114 cm (38-45 in). Weight 113-182 kg (250-400 lbs). Subtropical, all oceans. Eats molluscs and crabs.
- Olive Ridley:
Length 58-66 cm (23-26 in). Weight 36-41 kg (80-90 lbs). Tropical, mainly East Pacific, Northern Indian and South Atlatnic Oceans. Easts crustaceans, fish eggs and some vegetation.
- Kemp's Ridely:
Length 58-66 cm (23-26 in). Weight 36-45 kg (80-100 lbs). Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic. Eats crabs and molluscs.
- Flatback Turtle:
Length about 90 cm (35 in). Weight about 80 kg (180 lbs). Northern Australia. Eats sea cucumbers and other invertebrates.
- Leatherback:
Length 152-178 cm (60-70 in). Weigth 320-590 kg (710-1300 lbs). Nests in tropics but wanders to temperate, even sub-Arctiv waters. Easts jellyfish.
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