There are 5 species of sea turtles found in Florida Waters
Name
Size
Weight(lbs)
Predominant Diet
Status
Leatherback
6-8 feet
700-1800
Jellyfish
Endangered
Green
38-42 in
250-350
Grasses, Algae
Endangered
Loggerhead
32-41 in
200-300
Mollusks, Crustaceans
Threatened
Hawksbill
30-36 in
100-150
Sponges
Endangered
Kemps Ridley
24-28 in
80-100
Mollusks, Crustaceans
Endangered
Three of the above species nest in Brevard County. Brevard County's beaches are the largest nesting site in the western hemisphere for loggerhead sea turtles, with over 20,000 nests per year. Approximately half of all green sea turtle nests in the United States are found along Brevard County's beaches. Leatherbacks lay the fewest of nests of the three species, but the number has increased in recent years. Two of the species found in Florida's waters can also be found in the Indian River Lagoon. Juvenile greens feed on the sea brass beds and macroalgae while juvenile loggerheads feed on crustaceans found in the shallow waters of the lagoon.CONTINUE
