Nova Scotia Turtles

How to identify Nova Scotia's marine turtles

Atlantic Leatherback
smooth, leather-like carapace, brown to black
7 lengthwise keels on carapace
plastron white with black blotches
large, up to 500 kg weight

Atlantic Ridley
heart-shaped, keeled carapace
pale yellow-grey to grey
small, up to 45 kg weight

Atlantic Loggerhead
elongate, keeled carapace
reddish brown, plates often yellow-bordered
plastron is yellow or cream coloured
flippers and tail red-brown and yellow-brown


Main Page | Observing Turtles