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Species outlines
Euroturtle
 


Flatback Sea Turtle
Natator depressus

Diagnostic features:

  • Body flat with a smooth carapace, nearly elliptical with upturned margins
  • Carapace is soft, waxy and smooth, with a thin keratin layer: very easily damaged.
  • Inframarginal scutes lack pores.
  • Flippers : Fore and hind had 1 claw each.
  • Colour : dorselly olive grey with pale brown yellowish edge.
  • Each flipper has a single claw in adults. Young adults may have extra claw on front flipper.
  • Hatchlings : dark grey reticulate pattern specific to this species.
flat turtle diagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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