The Flatback Turtle

Taxonomy
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Cheloniidae
Genus:	Natator
Species:	Natator Depressus
Status:	Vulnerable

The Flatback Sea Turtle, Natator depressus, is a medium sized sea turtle with an elliptical, flattened shell characterized by upturned edges. Its olive-gray shell has a thin, waxy surface that can easily be damaged.

The Flatback sea turtle are having one of the most restricted ranges of any of the sea turtle. It’s only found in the tropical waters of northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The Flatback sea turtle is a sea turtle that is mostly found in Australia. They are part of the sea turtle family and are the only sea turtles found in Natator. In addition, the turtles also have a flat shell and this is the reason as to why they are called Flatback turtles can be found in a variety of watery places and these include grassy waters, shallow waters, lagoons and bays among others.

The Flatback turtle has four pairs of scales and a carapace of approximately 90 centimeters. What distinguishes the turtle from other species is the pair of scales that are located on the front of its head. In addition, the turtle is also grey in color. Another thing that distinguishes the turtle from other species is that, though it lays fewer eggs, the eggs are larger in size than those of other species.

Like any other turtle species, the Flatback female turtles lay eggs on the beach. They lay up to seventy five eggs and they lay them in a period of seventeen days every three years. It is important to note that the male Flatback turtles do not return to shore with the female ones. This is mostly because the turtles do their mating while at sea and not on land/shore. The female turtles lay the eggs in batches or phases and after laying them, they then cover the eggs with their behind flippers and then cover themselves with sand to further shield the eggs. The eggs need to be protected and shielded, because they are prone to predators like foxes, indigenous people and dingoes; thus the need for them to be well concealed.

The new borne sea turtles are however often eaten by sea crabs and birds. This is the reason as to why upon hatching, they rush to the sea for protection. However, even while at sea, especially since they can only survive in shallow waters, they are prey to fish and sharks. It is therefore important to note that though Flatbacks are hatched in big numbers, only a few get to become adults, because of the many predators that they can easily fall prey to both on land and at sea.