Turtle School 101 Turtle School 101 Adult male loggerhead. Large head and reddish-brown carapace are characteristic of this species. Adult male loggerhead. Cloacal opening is located near tip of tail beyond posterior margin of carpace.
Broad head is evident.
Black sulfide-stained plastron is the result of prolonged contact with silty bottom and is not typical of species. Two pairs of prefrontal scales between eyes, five pairs of lateral or costal scutes on carpace, and reddish-brown dorsal pigmentation are characteristic of this species. Three pairs of enlarged inframarginal scutes bridging the yellowish plastron are characteristic of this species. Emarginate scutes of carapace are common in immature individuals. Dorsal scutes have dark brown lines radiating from light centers.