Animals A-Z
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Scientific Name : Caretta caretta
Status : Vulnerable
On view at Aquarium in : Shark Tank
The loggerhead sea turtle begins its life as a hatchling on warm, sandy beaches, before embarking on long oceanic journeys. As they mature, these resilient reptiles navigate coastal waters and open seas, feeding on a variety of marine creatures. Known for their powerful jaws and wide migratory paths, loggerheads play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems. They are true ocean travellers, capable of crossing entire oceans in search of feeding and nesting grounds.
Quick Facts
Did you know?
- Built for Crushing: Loggerheads are equipped with huge heads and incredibly strong jaws that allow them to crush tough-shelled prey like crabs, conchs, and even large mollusks. These powerful jaws are essential for their survival, as their diet includes some of the ocean’s most armoured creatures.
- Ecosystem Heroes: Loggerheads are considered keystone species because of their important role in maintaining balance in marine ecosystems. Their nests and the remains of their meals provide sustenance for a variety of smaller animals, helping support the food chain around them.
- Ocean Voyagers: Known for their incredible stamina, loggerhead sea turtles are true adventurers, often swimming more than 9,000 miles during migration. They travel vast distances between their feeding grounds and nesting sites, crossing entire oceans in their lifetime.
- Temperature-Decides Gender: Loggerhead hatchlings’ gender is determined by the temperature of the sand where the eggs incubate. Warmer sand results in female hatchlings, while cooler sand produces males. This unique trait means that climate change could have a significant impact on the species’ future.
- Homeward Bound: Female loggerheads have an extraordinary ability to return to the exact beach where they were born to lay their eggs, a behaviour known as natal homing. Scientists believe they use the Earth’s magnetic field as a sort of natural GPS to navigate back to their birthplace, even after travelling thousands of miles
Museum Gallery
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Ainmhithe A-Z
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Cothú Ainmhithe
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Mar a deir ár gcustaiméirí fúinn:
Located right on the main road so very easy to locate and head over to food and shopping. There are adorable penguins and otters to watch and interact with through the glass. Also, there are many interesting fish, lobsters, crabs, rays, etc to admire. We didn’t have kids with us but definitely something they would enjoy. I would recommend it everyone who stops in Dingle.
Definitely a must see spot in Dingle. We loved the butterfly room and the otters. All of the exhibits are well maintained, the animals look healthy and cared for and the educational talks were very informative.
Great aquarium with lots of different tanks, exhibits and information. Plenty of fish, sea creatures, penguins, otters and even a butterfly enclosure make this a lovely place to spend two hours. Staff are informative and helpful.
Great place! Seems tiny on the outside but lots to see, lovely time spent for both adults and kids. There is a variety of animals to see and interesting facts and info to read as well, highly recommended!
