Four species call Aruba home
Meet the sea turtles nesting on our beaches and learn what makes each one remarkable
Leatherback turtle - Dermochelys Coriacea - Driekiel
Leatherback turtles
The Leatherback is the largest of the species. An adult Leatherback can weigh up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lbs) with a length of typically 140 to 180 cm (4.5 to 6 ft). Itโs the only species with a leathery back rather than a hard shell, hence the name. Leatherbacks primarily feed on jellyfishes, which is not abundant in our waters. They only arrive in the area to nest, otherwise, they spend their time in Northern Atlantic waters. Satellite data proceeding from our trackers show their migration path, spanning thousands of kilometres.
Green turtle - Chelonia Mydas - Green Turtle
Green Turtles
Green turtles are the most abundant species worldwide, which is also the case for Aruba. Juveniles and sub-adults are found year-round in our waters. Their diet primarily consists of seagrass and algae, which leads to green subcutaneous fat observable on their underside, from which they got their name. While their exact migration routes throughout their lifespan is not known, tracking info shows that they generally stay in Caribbean waters.
Loggerhead turtle - Caretta Caretta - Cawama
Loggerhead turtle
Loggerheads can be identified by their relatively large head and neck . These are needed to support their strong jaw muscles to process their diet that primarily consists of mollusks and crustaceans.
Hawksbill turtle - Eretmochelys Imbricata - Caret
Hawksbill turtle
While all sea turtle species are vulnerable to varying degrees, hawksbill turtles are critically endangered. They are the smallest of our species. A hawksbill hatchling is tiny and measures approximately only 3-4cm (1.1-1.5 inch). Though they largely eat sponges, hawksbills use their hawk-like beak to reach for food in crevices. Hawksbills, like the loggerheads, are spotted from time to time on our reefs.
The odds they face
Only one in a thousand hatchlings reach adulthood. Every nest matters, every turtle counts.
Graph over time
Threats they face
Sea turtles are subject to a host of different threats: some global, and many local. A major global threat is sea level rise due to global warming, causing beaches to slowly disappear over time and leading to a loss of nesting habitat. The current sea-level rise in the Caribbean is 3.4 mm a year.
Knowledge is protection
What you learn here, you can share. What you share, others will protect.
