Australian Flatback Sea Turtle – Global Nesting GuideAustralian Flatback Sea Turtle InformationThe Australian Flatback Sea Turtle (Natator depressus) is one of the least widely distributed sea turtle species in the world and is found primarily in the waters surrounding Australia and Papua New Guinea. Although this species does not occur in South African waters, it forms an important part of the global sea turtle family that includes species seen on St Lucia turtle tours and along the nesting beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Sea turtle conservation programmes in turtle nesting South Africa protect species such as Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles, while related species like the Australian Flatback turtle demonstrate the diversity of sea turtles across the world's oceans. Understanding all sea turtle species helps conservationists protect the Western Indian Ocean turtle populations and maintain global biodiversity. Visitors joining night turtle tours in the St Lucia area typically encounter Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles, but the Australian Flatback turtle provides an important comparison species because of its unique nesting behaviour and restricted geographic range. The Australian Flatback turtle is particularly interesting because it has one of the most limited distributions of any sea turtle and nests exclusively in the Australian region. Its biology and nesting behaviour differ from many other turtle species, making it a unique member of the sea turtle family. Species Facts Scientific Name: Natator depressus DescriptionScientific Name: Natator depressus Description: The Australian flatback turtle's head has a single pair of prefrontal scales (scales in front of its eyes). Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, non-overlapping, scutes (scales) present with only 4 lateral scutes. The Australian Flatback turtle's Carapace is oval or round and body is very flat. Flippers have 1 claw. Edge of carapace is folded and covered by thin, non-overlapping waxy scutes. The carapace of the Australian Flatback turtle is olive-grey with pale brown/yellow tones on margins and the flippers creamy white. The scutes of the hatchlings form a unique dark-grey reticulate pattern, and the center of each scute is olive colored. Size and WeightSize: Adult Australian flatback turtles measure up to 3.25 feet in carapace length (99 cm). Weight: Adult Australian Flatback turtles weigh an average of 198 pounds (90 kg). DietDiet: Australian flatback turtles eat sea cucumbers, jellyfish, mollusks, prawns, bryozoans, other invertebrates and seaweed. HabitatHabitat: Australian flatback turtles refer turbid inshore waters, bays, coastal coral reef and grassy shallows. Nesting BehaviourNesting: Australian Flatback turtles nest 4 times per season. Lays an average of 50 eggs at time, but these are comparatively quite large. The eggs incubate for about 55 days. When the hatchlings emerge, they are larger than most species. Global RangeRange: The Australian Flatback turtle has a very limited range. Australian Flatback turtles are found only in the waters around Australia and Papua New Guinea in the Pacific. Turtle Nesting in iSimangaliso Wetland ParkThe protected beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, support important nesting populations of Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles. These turtles migrate thousands of kilometres across the Indian Ocean to reach the Maputaland coastline. Although Australian Flatback turtles do not nest in South Africa, comparing different sea turtle species helps researchers better understand turtle nesting behaviour and migration patterns worldwide. Turtle Tours from St LuciaSt Lucia turtle tours provide visitors with the opportunity to observe nesting turtles along remote protected beaches inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Night turtle drives operate during the turtle nesting season between October and March. Visitors may experience driving along remote coastal tracks at night, following turtle tracks in the sand and occasionally observing nesting turtles or hatchlings emerging from nests. While Australian Flatback turtles are not seen on iSimangaliso turtle tours, understanding global sea turtle species adds depth to the turtle viewing experience. Best Time to See Turtles in South Africa October – December Where Turtles Nest in South Africa Major turtle nesting areas include: Threats to SurvivalThreats to Survival of Australian flatback turtles : Sea turtles are threatened with capture, harvesting of eggs, destruction of nesting beaches, ocean pollution, oil spills and entanglement in fishing and shrimp nets. Population EstimatePopulation Estimate*: 20,285 nesting female flatback turtles. Frequently Asked Questions Do Australian Flatback turtles live in South Africa? Planning a Turtle Tour in St Lucia? Send your dates for availability confirmation. |