What is a flat turtle?

Flatback Turtles. The flatback turtle is named after its flat carapace, or shell, which is unlike the curved shell of other sea turtle species. An adult flatback weighs 200 pounds and is approximately 3 feet in length. They have the smallest distribution of all the species and breed and nest only in Australia.

How many vertebrates does a turtle have?

Some species, like sea turtles, have short necks while others, such as snake-necked turtles, have very long ones. Despite this, all turtle species have eight neck vertebrate; a consistency not found in other reptiles but paralleled in mammals.

Where do flatback sea turtles live in Australia?

Flatback sea turtles are native to Australia, and rarely travel far from home. In fact, flatbacks have the smallest geographic range of all their relative sea turtles. They have only been found to live in the northern waters of Australia.

How are green sea turtles related to flatback sea turtles?

It’s confirmed: Even though flatback turtles dine on fish, shrimp, and mollusks, they are closely related to primarily herbivorous green sea turtles.

What kind of food does a flatback sea turtle eat?

The flatback turtle is omnivorous (i.e. it eats both plants and meat). It forages on the sea bed and invertebrates make up the bulk of its diet. The turtle eats animals such as corals, sea cucumbers, shrimp, jellyfish and mollusks. Although plants form only a minor part of the flatback sea turtle’s diet,…

What kind of skin does a flatback sea turtle have?

The flatback sea turtle’s limbs and head are grey / olive green. The flatback turtle’s carapace is thinner than that of the other hard-shelled sea turtles. Because of this it is susceptible to cracks or other damage.

Where can you find flatback sea turtles in Australia?

The Australian flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus) is a sea turtle located along the sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters of Australia. They can only be found in the waters around the Australian continental shelf.

How are flatback sea turtles different from other sea turtles?

Flatback sea turtles can be recognized from the other sea turtles by their flat bodies, smooth carapace (shell), and the presence of a pair of prefrontal scales at the front of their heads. They also have on their carapace four pairs of coastal scutes. 2. Where do flatback sea turtles live?

The flatback sea turtle is an omnivorous species, but predominately eats a carnivorous diet. They feed mostly on the prey found within the shallow waters where they swim. They have been found to feed on soft corals, sea cucumbers, shrimp, jellyfish, mollusks, and other invertebrates.

What kind of turtle has a flat shell?

Flatback Turtles. The flatback turtle is named after its flat carapace, or shell, which is unlike the curved shell of other sea turtle species.