Flatback turtle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Flatback sea turtle
Nesting on Great Keppel Island off Queensland Coast, Australia
Conservation status
Data Deficient (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Natator
Species:	depressus
Distribution map and nesting beaches of flatback sea turtle

The flatback turtle (Natator depressus) is a special type of sea turtle. It lives only in Australia. You can find it on sandy beaches and in the shallow waters near the Australian coast. This turtle gets its name because its shell is flatter than other sea turtles.

Flatback turtles are usually olive green or grey on top, with a creamy white underside. They grow to be about 76 to 96 centimeters (30 to 38 inches) long. They can weigh between 70 to 90 kilograms (154 to 198 pounds). When baby flatback turtles hatch, they are bigger than other baby sea turtles.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the flatback turtle as "Data Deficient." This means scientists don't have enough information yet to know exactly how many there are or if they are in danger. However, the flatback turtle is generally considered less endangered than other sea turtles. This is partly because people don't often hunt them for their meat. Also, they tend to stay closer to shore, so they are less likely to get caught in fishing nets far out at sea.

Images for kids

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  Illustration of a top view of a flatback sea turtle.

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  A sea cucumber, which is an organism found in the flatback sea turtle's diet.

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  A fox, which is a land predator of the flatback sea turtle.

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  An example of gillnets, which can be a threat to the flatback sea turtle.

See also

In Spanish: Tortuga plana para niños