Marine turtles in the Southeast

Five species of marine turtles frequent the beaches and offshore waters of the southeastern United States: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). All five are reported to nest, but only the loggerhead and green turtle do so in substantial numbers. Most nesting occurs from southern North Carolina to the middle west coast of Florida, but scattered nesting occurs from Virginia through southern Texas. The beaches of Florida, particularly in Brevard and Indian River counties, host what may be the world's largest population of loggerheads.