There are 13 species of turtles in Costa Rica that are native to the country – nine freshwater species and four protected Sea turtle species.
It’s one of the most diverse countries in the world in terms of wildlife, and this extends to turtles.
In terms of keeping turtles as pets in Costa Rica, the country has outlawed the possession of pets that are classed as wildlife, whether they’re wild-caught or captive-bred. Turtles cannot be kept as pets in Costa Rica. But if you live in the United States or elsewhere, some of these species may be legal and available as pets.
If you do live in Costa Rica, this list can be used as a field herping guide for spotting wild turtles. In places where some of these species may be legal, this list can be a stepping stone to finding your next pet. Here are the 13 species of turtles native to Costa Rica.
Table of Contents
Turtles in Costa Rica
1. Central America Mud Turtle
- Experience Level: N/A
- Family: Kinosternidae
- Scientific Name: Kinosternon angustipons
- Other Names: Narrow-bridged Mud turtle
- Adult Size: 3 to 7 inches (7.5 to 17.5 cm)
- Lifespan: Up to 50 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
Central American Mud turtles are a species that is native to countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. In Costa Rica, their native range spans the northern half of the country along the border with Nicaragua.
Central American Mud turtles inhabit Costa Rica’s plains and wetlands and are an aquatic species. Like most Mud turtles, they need clear waters and plenty of underwater vegetation for hiding and hunting. They eat a mainly carnivorous diet of crustaceans, small fish, insects, and mollusks.
These turtles have dark green carapaces with steep sides. They have pale, yellowish skin and plastrons.
The turtle has a high dome that is rounded with smooth scutes. The carapace is brown and so are the limbs.
Males are generally larger than females. Gravid females lay clutches of 4 eggs and can lay several clutches a year.
Kinosternon angustipons is a species of mud turtles such as the yellow mud turtle and the common mud turtle. The narrow-bridged mud turtle is aquatic, specifically, it is a freshwater turtle.
As with other mud turtles, the Central American mud turtle can be found in freshwater habitats such as temporary ponds, lakes, and ponds. As you may have already figured out by their name.
This turtle prefers water bodies with muddy bottoms. The turtle spends most of its time buried under mud.
As with other mud turtles, the Central American mud turtle is an omnivore and feeds on snails, crayfish, shrimp, clams, carrion, and vegetation. While the lifespan of the species is unknown, other mud turtle species such as the yellow mud turtle have an average lifespan of 15 years in the wild.
The species has an IUCN Red List status of Vulnerable although the species was last assessed in 1996.
2. Scorpion Mud Turtle
- Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Family: Kinosternidae
- Scientific Name: Kinosternon scorpioides
- Other Names: N/A
- Adult Size: 3.5 to 10.5 inches (9 to 26.5 cm)
- Lifespan: Up to 50 years
- Average Price Range: $40 to $50
Scorpion Mud turtles are a medium to large aquatic species that is native to parts of Central and South America, including Costa Rica. They are found in the southern half of Costa Rica in humid, tropical areas. Scorpion Mud turtles are also an underrated but inquisitive and hardy pet.
Scorpion Mud turtles have black to brown to tan high-domed carapaces. Their skin ranges from black to brown and gray. They have vermiculated patterning that is yellow to red. Males can be distinguished from females by their longer tails.
These turtles have a reputation for being voracious eaters, feasting on carrion, crustaceans, insects, and mollusks. They need clear, slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and swamps.
3. White-lipped Mud Turtle
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Kinosternidae
- Scientific Name: Kinosternon leucostomum
- Other Names: N/A
- Adult Size: 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm)
- Lifespan: 30 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: $60 to $150
White-lipped Mud turtles are a beautiful species native to Central and South American countries such as Costa Rica. They are one of Costa Rica’s most common species and are found everywhere except some central and southeastern areas.
White Lipped Mud turtles have smooth high-domed shells that range from black to brown. These turtles have distinctive whitish lips, along with cream skin around their jaws. They have fleshy barbels on their chins and yellow plastrons.
These aquatic turtles are omnivores, consuming crustaceans, small fish, insects, mollusks, and occasionally plants and carrion. White-lipped Mud turtles inhabit slow, still freshwater sources such as marshes and swamps with silty, sandy bottoms
4. Meso-American Slider
- Experience Level: N/A
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta venusta
- Other Names: N/A
- Adult Size: 15 to 19 inches (38 to 50 cm)
- Lifespan: 30 to 40 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
Meso-American Sliders are the largest subspecies of the Common Slider (Trachemys scripta) and are found across Central and Southern America. They are often confused with the Nicaraguan Slider or Peacock Slider but are usually larger.
Meso-American Sliders have a similar appearance to Nicaraguan Sliders, with dark brown to olive green shells marked with circular orange patterns with dark spots in the middle. Meso-American Sliders have dark brown skin with yellow stripes and yellow or red patches behind their ears.
These semi-aquatic turtles have an omnivorous diet consisting of carrion, crustaceans, small fish, insects, mollusks, and aquatic vegetation such as duckweed.
5. Nicaraguan Slider
- Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Family: Emydidae
- Scientific Name: Trachemys emolli
- Other Names: Nicaraguan Ornate Slider, Peacock Slider
- Adult Size: 10 to 15 inches (25.5 to 38 cm)
- Lifespan: 15 to 25 years
- Average Price Range: $30 to $40
Nicaraguan Sliders are large, semi-aquatic turtles native to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. They inhabit most of Costa Rica aside from some central and southeastern regions. They are a beautiful species and are popular pets.
These stunning turtles are also known as Peacock Sliders thanks to the vibrantly colored circular markings on the tops of their olive-green to dark brown shells. They also have yellowish markings and plastrons with dark brown lines separating the ventral scutes.
Nicaraguan Sliders have a largely carnivorous diet, mainly eating small amphibians, crustaceans, small fish, insects, larvae, and tadpoles. They prefer to inhabit larger streams and lakes.
6. South American Snapping Turtle
- Experience Level: N/A
- Family: Chelydridae
- Scientific Name: Chelydra acutirostris
- Other Names: South American Snapper
- Adult Size: 8 to 20 inches (20 to 51 cm)
- Lifespan: 30 to 50 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
South American Snapping turtles have recently been separated from Common Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as a distinct species. These large aquatic turtles inhabit larger bodies of water in Central and South American countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.
South American Snappers have a similarly intimidating appearance to Common Snappers. They have powerful, hooked beaks and long tails covered with saw-toothed spines. Their thick shells are dark brown to olive green, with three prominent ridges in the center.
Like their Common cousins, South American Snappers will eat most types of prey such as amphibians, fish, insects, mollusks, smaller turtles, and even waterbirds. They will also eat aquatic vegetation occasionally.
7. Black Wood Turtle
- Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Family: Geoemydidae
- Scientific Name: Rhinoclemmys funerea
- Other Names: Black River turtle
- Adult Size: 12 to 14 inches (30.5 to 35.5 cm)
- Lifespan: 40 to 60 years
- Average Price Range: $125 to $150
Black Wood turtles are the largest of the nine Wood turtle species. They are native to Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. In Costa Rica, they can be encountered in the marshes and swamps of the country’s northern half.
Black Wood turtles have domed carapaces that are mostly black, although some individuals will also show dark brown coloration. The tops of their heads are also black, while their chins and necks are yellowish with dark speckles.
These turtles prefer areas with slow-moving waters in woodland areas. They eat an omnivorous diet of crustaceans, small fish, insects, and mollusks as well as plants and carrion.
The black wood turtle is neotropical. The turtle is endemic to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama.
The turtle is the largest wood turtle there is. The species are commonly kept as pets, especially in North America.
The wood turtle is semi-aquatic and prefers slow-moving water bodies. They can be found in lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, streams, and rivers.
The turtle has a moderately domed carapace which is rounded with smooth scutes. The carapace is black and quite wide.
The plastron of the adult males is concave while the plastron of adult females and juveniles is flat. The black wood turtle is black in coloration with brown colorations on the shell.
Yellow spots are visible on the limbs and the underside of the jaw. The adult size of the turtle is 14 inches or 35 cm.
As with other wood turtles, the Central American wood turtle is omnivorous and feeds on tadpoles, insects, worms, and fish. They also feed on grasses, wildflowers, and fruits.
There are eight wood turtle species endemic to Central America. While the lifespan of the species is unknown, they most likely live as long as other central American wood turtles which are 20 years.
The species has an IUCN Red List status of Near-threatened although the species was last assessed in 1996.
8. Brown Wood Turtle
- Experience Level: N/A
- Family: Geoemydidae
- Scientific Name: Rhinoclemmys annulata
- Other Names: Brown Land turtle, Brown tortoise
- Adult Size: Approximately 6 to 8 inches
- Lifespan: Approximately 40 to 60 years
- Average Price Range: N/A
Not much is known about the elusive Brown Wood turtle. This species is native to parts of Central and South America such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. Brown Wood turtles inhabit the northern half of Costa Rica in woodland areas. They are not kept as pets.
Brown Wood turtles have dark to light brown shells that have a slightly flat appearance and a sculpted look, especially at the edge of the carapace. They have yellowish plastrons with dark patches.
Brown Wood turtles are a herbivorous species, eating leaves and seeds. They are diurnal and are more active after heavy rainfall. In hotter temperatures, they will look for a slow-moving water source, and at night they will sleep under fallen leaves.
9. Painted Wood Turtle
- Experience Level: Intermediate
- Family: Geoemydidae
- Scientific Name: Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima pulcherrima
- Other Names: Ornate Wood turtle
- Adult Size: 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm)
- Lifespan: 30+ years
- Average Price Range: $100 to $200
Painted Wood turtles are beautiful turtles that are commonly kept as pets. There are various subspecies found across Central and South America, but it is the nominate subspecies that are native to western areas of Costa Rica.
Painted Wood turtles are popular due to their stunning shells, which have mottled tan to light brown patterns over darker brown carapaces. These turtles also have vibrant red markings on their shells and body. Painted Wood turtles have yellowish plastrons.
The species can reach lengths of 20 cm. Females are generally larger than males are. Males reach carapace lengths of 18 cm while females can reach carapace lengths of 20 cm.
Males have a more concave plastron, while females have flat plastrons. Females have shorter tails.
These turtles are omnivorous and will mainly eat fruits and plant matter supplemented with protein from insects and mollusks such as worms. They like insects, fish, worms, fruits (such as oranges, mangoes, and guavas), grasses, and wildflowers.
Sea Turtles in Costa Rica
There are also four species of Sea turtles found in the tropical waters around Costa Rica. The country has numerous Sea turtle protection programs, and none of these turtles can be kept as pets because they’re all Threatened or Endangered.
Many of Costa Rica’s beaches are important nesting sites for Sea turtles. Here’s a quick rundown of each of these four species:
10. Green Sea Turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas
- Other Names: N/A
- Adult Size: 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120 cm)
- Weight: 300 to 400 lbs (135 to 180 kg)
- Lifespan: 80 to 100 years
- Conservation Status: Endangered
- Habitat: Bays and shores along coastlines and open ocean waters, seen during summer months
- Clutch Size: Around 110 to 115 eggs, with 2 to 5 clutches per breeding season
- Food: Mostly herbivores, eating algae, seagrasses, and seaweed
- Appearance: Smooth green to brown shells shaped like hearts, edged in yellow. Cream-colored scaly skin with shades of green
Chelonia mydas can be found within the tropics and subtropics of the world’s oceans. Data gathered from radio tagging suggests that the range of the turtle is as far north as 40° north and as far south as 40° south.
The range includes the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, northern Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean sea. In Costa Rica, Chelonia mydas has been spotted in the Tortuguero National Park, and Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve.
The green turtle is a large reptile with greenish body fat which gives it its common name. The coloration of this reptile is brown with gray kin. The carapace is olive to brown with wavy markings.
The plastron of the green turtle is whitish in coloration. Males have longer tails than females do. Males also have a claw on each of their front flippers. Females lack claws.
C. mydas is a large turtle even among sea turtles as it is the second-largest sea turtle and can reach lengths of 47.24 inches or 120 cm. Adult lengths range from 39 to 47 in (100 to 120 cm). C. mydas is an omnivorous species feeding on both animals and plants.
However, the older the turtle is, the more meat it eats. These include fish, sponges, mollusks, and jellyfish.
Toxins from the jellyfish the turtle eats such as the Portuguese man-of-war makes this turtle dangerous to eat. Ingesting hawksbill meat can lead to permanent paralysis and even death.
Green turtles can be seen nesting on the coasts of Costa Rica from June to October. The hatchlings will start to emerge by the end of October.
The peak nesting period of the green sea turtle is Mid-July to October. The turtles can also be found nesting throughout the North Caribbean coast, especially Tortuguero.
Nightly tours of nesting sites of green sea turtles are quite prevalent on the coastlines of Costa Rica. When visiting a nesting site, do so with a licensed tour guide and be sure to be quiet and not turn on any lights, this includes camera flashes.
It is also important that you avoid buying products, souvenirs, or even dishes that contain turtle or turtle eggs. C. mydas is an endangered turtle according to the IUCN Red List.
The biggest threat to the turtle is egg harvesting. Large numbers of eggs are collected from nesting sites annually. Another major threat to wild populations includes bycatch in marine fisheries.
The main threat here is entanglement in fishing equipment meant to catch different marine animals. Fishing techniques that lead to bycatch include long lining, dynamite fishing, shrimp trawling, and drift netting.
The loss of nesting habitat degradation as a result of urban development and the construction of residential buildings is another major threat to the species. Even the presence of light sources can significantly alter the behavior of nesting females.
The light presence can also attract the attention of hatchlings. Other factors that lead to nesting habitat degradation include sand extraction, beach armoring, and re-nourishment. The green sea turtle is included in Appendix I of CITES.
Head to our Green Sea turtle page for more information.
11. Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata
- Other Names: Atlantic Hawksbill turtle
- Adult Size: 30 to 35 inches (76 to 89 cm)
- Weight: 100 to 155 lbs (45 to 70 kg)
- Lifespan: 30 to 50 years
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
- Habitat: Shallow coastal areas of rocky or tropical waters, reefs, and estuaries
- Clutch Size: Between 140 to 200 eggs, about 4 clutches per breeding season
- Food: Omnivores, mainly consuming crustaceans, mollusks, and algae
- Appearance: Prominent, beak-shaped mouths (like a hawk), oval shells in shades of amber with unique markings. Flippers also have claws at their “elbows”
Eretmochelys imbricata can be found within the tropics of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They have been found as far north as Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
In Costa Rica, Eretmochelys imbricata can be found in the Tortuguero National Park, Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, and the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. The turtle is almost most commonly found nesting in Tortuguero.
Because of the endangered nature of the hawksbill, they are rarely spotted nesting. Tourists are known to visit Tortuguero in hopes of seeing the hawksbill nesting.
Nesting usually occurs from May to November with October being the peak nesting period and as such, you are more likely to spot a hawksbill during this period. A small Eretmochelys imbricata colony can be found in Golfo Dulce.
These turtles can also be occasionally spotted on the southern beaches of the Osa Peninsula from August to October. The hawksbill is a distinctive turtle because of its beak which resembles that of a hawk.
This beak shape gives the hawksbill its common name. This beak/mouth is sharp and curved and a very effective tool that the turtles use to eat and protect themselves.
The upper shell, also known as carapace, is heart-shaped and resembles a shield. The rear end of the caparace is serrated.
E. imbricata is a large turtle (although it is quite smaller than other sea turtles) that reaches lengths of 62.5 to 114 cm (25 to 45 inches). This turtle also has an average mass of 80 kg (176 lbs).
Males are generally brighter in coloration than females are. Additionally, males also have a concave plastron while females have flat plastrons.
Males also have thicker tails and longer claws than females have. E. imbricata is an omnivorous species feeding on both animals and plants. However, the older the turtle is, the more meat it eats.
These include fish, sponges, mollusks, and jellyfish. Toxins from the jellyfish the turtle eats such as the Portuguese man-of-war makes this turtle dangerous to eat.
Ingesting hawksbill meat can lead to permanent paralysis and even death. E. imbricata is a critically endangered turtle according to the IUCN Red List.
Threats to the turtle include tortoiseshell trade, where the turtles are killed for the tortoiseshell trade, especially in the early 20th century. In many places around the world where sea turtles nest, egg harvesting has had a significant impact on the wild populations.
In many nesting sites, egg collection approaches 100% of all eggs laid. The species is also hunted for their meat. The meat can be for human consumption or used as shark bait.
The destruction of nesting habitat is another threat that the global population of the turtle faces. Injection of marine debris such as fishing gear as well as oil pollution are also threats that the turtle faces. The turtle is included in Appendix I of CITES.
For more information, check out our Hawksbill Sea turtle page.
12. Leatherback Sea Turtle
- Family: Dermochelyidea
- Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea
- Other Names: N/A
- Adult Size: 6 to 7 feet (182 to 213 cm)
- Weight: 1200 to 1450 lbs (545 to 658 kg)
- Lifespan: Around 30 years
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
- Habitat: Warm waters, mainly shallow, calm bays or lagoons. Nests common on sandy beaches.
- Clutch Size: Between 100 and 110 eggs
- Food: Jellyfish is the staple of their diet, but they will also eat other sea creatures
- Appearance: Their large carapaces are soft, unique among sea turtles, with prominent ridges all the way down. Colors vary between black and dark gray.
Dermochelys coriacea can be found within the temperate, tropical, and subtropical seas. The leatherback is a pelagic species and covers huge distances yearly.
They can be found as far north as Nova Scotia off the coast of mainland Canada and as far south as South Africa and Argentina. The leatherback travels further north than any other marine turtle.
In Costa Rica, Dermochelys coriacea has been spotted in the Corcovado national park, Tortuguero National Park, Ostional National Park, Marino Las Baulas National Park, and Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Leatherbacks can be seen nesting on the coasts of Costa Rica from March to May.
The peak nesting period for these turtles is April to May. The hatchlings will start to emerge by the end of May. A nesting hotspot for the leatherback is the Las Tortugas Research Station which is close to Tortuguero.
The turtles can also be found nesting throughout Tortuguero. They can also be found nesting along the coastlines of the places already mentioned.
The species can also be spotted nesting on the coast of Playa Grande in Guanacaste from October to February. The nesting sites of the turtle within Marino Las Baulas National Park are protected and access to the area is prohibited during the evening when it is turtle nesting season.
This is to protect the nesting process of the threatened leatherback species. From March to July, leatherback turtles from Gandoca- Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge will move to the southern Caribbean coastline and can be seen during the peak nesting period which is April to May.
The leatherback turtle is the most prevalent species on the coastlines of Costa Rica. In terms of body mass and volume, the leatherback turtle is the largest extant reptile in the world.
Automatically, it is also the largest turtle and largest marine turtle. The turtle can reach a mass of 900kg or 1983 lbs. The turtle is also capable of reaching a length of 63 inches (160 cm).
The length range of D. coriacea is 57 to 63 inches (145 to 160 cm). The mass range of D. coriacea is 551 to 1982 lb (250 to 900 kg). D. coriacea is predominantly carnivorous and feeds mostly on oceanic invertebrates such as jellyfish.
The leatherback lacks the strong crushing jaws of the other sea turtles as such they hardly feed on hard-shelled marine animals. However, the sharp jaws of the leatherback make jellyfish the ideal prey.
While D. coriacea used to be considered critically endangered, it is now considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The West Pacific Ocean subpopulation is considered critically endangered.
However, this subpopulation does not include those that nest in Costa Rica. The turtle faces several threats.
These include egg collection for human consumption, fisheries bycatch, coastal development such as residential construction, beach modification and dredging, pollution, and climate change. Fisheries bycatch refers to the accidental capture of the turtle in fishing equipment used to catch other marine species.
Fishing techniques that lead to bycatch include long lining, dynamite fishing, shrimp trawling, and drift netting. The leatherback turtle is included in Appendix I of CITES.
For more information, see our Leatherback Sea turtle page.
13. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Lepidochelys Olivacea
- Other Names: Pacific Ridley sea turtle, Tortuga lora
- Adult Size: 24 to 28 inches (61 to 71 cm)
- Weight: 75 to 110 lbs (34 to 50 kg)
- Lifespan: Around 30 years
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
- Habitat: Warm tropical seas, shallow coastal waters, mass nesting on sandy beaches
- Clutch Size: Between 75 and 125 eggs
- Food: Crustaceans, shellfish
- Appearance: Triangle-shaped heads. Olive green heart-shaped shells. Green to cream plastrons and undersides.
L. olivacea is one of the more common marine turtles that can be sighted in Costa Rica. Every year, tens of thousands of olive ridley populate the beaches of Costa Rica to nest.
L. olivacea is a large marine turtle that can reach lengths of 30 inches or 75 cm and can reach a mass of 100 lbs or 45 kg. The species has a wide carapace (the upper shell) which is heart-shaped.
The carapace has 6 to 8 scutes on either side of the middle row. The carapace is olive green while the plastron (underside) is whitish-green.
The plastron of adult males is concave, while that of females is flat. Also, males have much longer tails than females have.
L. olivacea is a carnivorous species and feeds mostly on mollusks, crabs, fish, and jellyfish. These turtles can be found in the tropics where it is warm.
To accomplish this, they stay between latitudes 40° south and 40° north. In the Americas, the species can be found in the Caribbean sea and the Gulf of California.
They can be found across the world with the biggest nesting site located in Orissa, India. In Costa Rica, Lepidochelys olivacea can be found along the Pacific.
Where they nest throughout the year although the peak nesting period is July to November. Thousands of olive ridley turtles can be found on the Pacific coast around the time of the new moon in a phenomenon referred to as the arribada which is the mass nesting activity.
Places such as Ostional Wildlife Refuge in Guanacaste are host to thousands of gravid sea turtles that come there to nest. When in Guanacaste, you can witness the arribada from May to October.
Another region that sees the periodic return of the species to its beach is the Finca Baru Pacifico Wildlife Refuge, also known as Haciendo Baru, near Dominical. The turtles nest here from May to November.
Here the turtles are protected so hatchlings can return to sea successfully. Another protected area where the species commonly nest is Camaronal Refuge in the Nicoya Peninsula.
This nesting beach is close to Samara and has been a safe refuge for nesting turtles since 1994. The Osa peninsula is the best-protected part of Costa Rica and serves as a nesting site for Lepidochelys olivacea.
Threats to L. olivacea include egg harvesting which has a huge negative impact on wild populations. The direct harvesting of the turtle also has negatively impacted the wild populations.
Another factor that has contributed to the decline in the numbers is bycatch fisheries. This is where the turtles are accidentally caught in fishing equipment meant for other marine animals such as fish.
Since olive ridleys breathe air, they eventually drown when trapped underwater. Other threats to the turtle include marine aquaculture, human intrusion, pollution, and climate change.
Also, fibropapillomatosis has been observed in olive ridleys that nest in Costa Rica.
The species is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List. The species is also listed in Appendix I of the CITES.
For more information, visit our Olive Ridley Sea turtle page.
14. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Scientific Name: Caretta caretta
- Local Names: Caguama
- Adult Length: 28 to 37 inches (70 to 95 cm)
- Adult Mass: 297 lb or 135 kg
- Lifespan: 30 to 62 years
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Caretta caretta can be found within the tropical, and subtropical seas of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. It can also be found within temperate seas.
In the Atlantic, the loggerhead turtle can be found from Newfoundland in Canada to Argentina. In Costa Rica, Caretta caretta can be spotted in the Tortuguero National Park, and Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve.
Loggerheads can be seen nesting on the coasts of Costa Rica generally from May to August. They can also be found from July to October. They can mainly be found in the region of Tortuguero.
Because of their small numbers, they are rare to spot. You’d be lucky to witness the nesting process of a loggerhead.
In terms of body mass, the loggerhead turtle is the largest hard shell turtle. As such, it is also the largest hardshell marine turtle.
On average, adult length ranges from 28 to 37 inches (70 to 95 cm). The average adult mass of the turtle is 297 lb or 135 kg. The turtle can be as heavy as 545 kg.
The loggerhead turtle has a large head which gives it its common name. The carapace is reddish and the plastron is cream/light yellow in coloration.
The shell is heart-shaped and slender in appearance. C. caretta is predominantly carnivorous and feeds mostly on jellyfish, fish, fish eggs, mollusks, eggs, insects, crustaceans, cnidarians, and marine invertebrates.
They feed on any animal which they can fit in their mouth. Although the species is predominantly carnivorous, they do feed on plants such as algae, and vegetation.
C. caretta is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Overall, the global population of the species is decreasing.
The main threats that the turtle faces are egg harvesting for human consumption, fisheries bycatch, coastal development such as construction, beach modification and dredging, pollution and pathogens, and climate change.
The highest threat to global populations is fisheries bycatch. This is followed by coast development and collection and harvesting of the eggs, and meat of the species.
Fisheries bycatch is the incidental capture of the turtle in fishing equipment used to catch other marine species. The loggerhead turtle is included in Appendix I of CITES.
For more information, visit our Loggerhead Sea Turtle page.
Conclusion
Well, that brings our list of turtles in Costa Rica to an end. We’ve covered 13 species found in this ecologically rich country, with nine species of freshwater turtles and four types of Sea turtles.
Most of the species on this list cannot be kept as pets even in the US, while all species are prohibited in Costa Rica itself. If you are thinking of buying one of the available turtles native to Costa Rica, such as the Painted Wood turtle, always try and adopt a specimen from an animal shelter or buy a captive-bred turtle from a registered breeder.
Whether you use this list as a field herping guide in Costa Rica or as a document to help you decide on your next turtle, we hope you liked it. Feel free to leave a comment down below and discuss the turtles of Costa Rica with us!
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