GROWTH, MATURITY, AND REPRODUCTION OF A LONG-TERM CAPTIVE MALE LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE, Caretta caretta (CHELONIA, REPTILIA), IN NORTH CAROLINA

摘要

Straight-line carapace lengths (SCL), tail lengths, and body weight data for a male loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, held in captivity from hatching until death, were best described using logistic equations. Death resulted from a heart aneurysm. The male lived 29.1 yrs and attained a SCL of 88 cms, 119.25 kg weight, and a 45 cm tail length. Skeleto-chronological age estimates placed his age at 18.3 years. Maturity was attained in 19 years although other captive male loggerhead turtles attained maturity in 13 yrs.