How To Identify All 7 Types of Sea Turtles (With Pictures)

So you spotted a sea turtle and now you’re squinting, thinking—is that a green or a loggerhead? Or wait… do leatherbacks even have shells?

Yeah, I’ve been there.

Truth is, most people can’t tell sea turtles apart. They all look kind of similar at first glance. But once you know what details to check—like the shell shape, head size, or even the number of scutes—it’s actually pretty easy.

This post breaks it all down, nice and simple. No fluff. Just straight-up tips to help you ID all 7 sea turtle types without second-guessing yourself.

Sea Turtle	Shell Shape	Scutes (Side)	Head Size	Key Feature	Size (Adult)	Habitat Range
Green	Heart-shaped	4	Small	Blunt beak, veggie diet	Up to 4 ft, 300+ lbs	Tropical, near reefs
Loggerhead	Thick, rugged	5+	Massive	Huge head, strong jaw	3 ft, ~250 lbs	Coastal waters worldwide
Leatherback	Long, teardrop	None	Long, narrow	No shell, 7 ridges	6+ ft, 1000+ lbs	Open oceans, cold & warm
Hawksbill	Narrow, oval	4–5 (overlap)	Small	Sharp beak, flashy shell	2.5 ft, ~150 lbs	Coral reefs, tropical areas
Olive Ridley	Round	6–9	Small	Mass nesting (arribada)	2–2.5 ft, ~100 lbs	Warm oceans, global
Kemp’s Ridley	Round, domed	5	Short, triangular	Rarest, compact build	2 ft, ~100 lbs	Gulf of Mexico, east U.S.
Flatback	Flat, broad	4	Medium	Pale shell, only in AUS	3.5 ft, ~220 lbs	Northern Australia only

1. Green Sea Turtle

Let’s start with the one people mess up the most. Green sea turtles aren’t green because their shell is green. It’s actually their body fat that’s green—thanks to their veggie diet.

Now here’s how you can tell you’re looking at a green sea turtle and not something else.

Shell Shape and Color

Their shell is smooth, wide, and kind of heart-shaped. It’s not actually green—it’s usually olive, brown, or even a bit blackish with lighter streaks or spots. Think earthy tones, not neon.

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Head and Beak

The head is pretty small compared to the body. The beak is round and blunt, not sharp like a hawksbill. They’ve got a chill look, like they mind their own business.

Scutes (Those Shell Segments)

They have 4 costal scutes on each side of the shell. And here’s the key: none of them overlap. That alone can help rule out hawksbill right away.

Size

Green sea turtles get big. Adults can grow up to 4 feet and weigh over 300 pounds. If you see a chunky turtle cruising near seagrass, odds are it’s this one.

Habitat

They love warm coastal waters and shallow bays. You’ll often find them grazing on seagrass like underwater cows. They’re common in Hawaii, Florida, Australia, and most tropical oceans.

2. Loggerhead Sea Turtle

This one’s built like a tank with a massive head that makes you do a double take. If you spot a sea turtle and think, “Why does it look like it could headbutt a brick wall?”—yeah, that’s a loggerhead.

Here’s how to make sure.

Shell Shape and Color

The shell is thick, a bit heart-shaped like the green, but more rugged. The color leans reddish-brown or dark orange, sometimes with a faded look.

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Head and Beak

This is the giveaway. The head is huge—way bigger in proportion than other sea turtles. Their beak is strong and powerful, built to crush crabs and shellfish.

Scutes

Like the green, they also have 5 or more costal scutes on each side. But still no overlaps. It looks more armored, less sleek.

Size

Not as big as the green, but still bulky. Around 3 feet long and about 250 pounds on average. Just a dense, solid turtle.

Habitat

They’re all over the world but prefer coastal areas with sandy bottoms. Common along the U.S. east coast, Japan, the Mediterranean—anywhere with shellfish to munch on.

3. Leatherback Sea Turtle

Now this one’s in a league of its own. No scutes. No hard shell. Just a giant, rubbery beast that looks like it came straight from the dinosaur era.

If you ever spot one, you’ll know. But just in case—here’s what to look for.

Shell Shape and Texture

No bony shell here. It’s soft, leathery, and shaped like a long teardrop with seven ridges running from front to back. Almost looks like a racing turtle—if that were a thing.

Color’s usually dark gray to black, with tiny white or pale spots scattered across the back.

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Head and Beak

The head is long and narrow with no scales, just smooth skin. Their mouth is… creepy. It’s built to eat jellyfish, so it’s got backward-pointing spines inside. You won’t see that unless you’re a jellyfish (RIP).

Scutes

None. Zilch. Instead of hard plates, it’s got a rubbery surface with those seven ridges I mentioned. That’s the easiest way to spot it.

Size

Absolutely massive. They can reach over 6 feet long and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Largest sea turtle in the world—no contest.

Habitat

They like deep, open ocean. You won’t find them chilling near the shore like greens. They roam all over the world, from the tropics to near-freezing waters. Basically, they go wherever the jellyfish buffet is.

4. Hawksbill Sea Turtle

This one’s the diva of the turtle world. Flashy shell, sharp beak, kind of small, but full of attitude. If a sea turtle could post selfies, it would be the hawksbill.

Here’s how to spot one without guessing.

Shell Shape and Color

The shell is narrow, almost oval-shaped, and seriously beautiful. We’re talking amber, brown, gold, even hints of orange—all swirled like marble.

That pretty shell is also why these turtles got hunted hard in the past. It’s called “tortoiseshell” and people used it for jewelry. Not cool.

Head and Beak

Tiny head, but the beak? Sharp and curved like a hawk’s. That’s where the name comes from. It’s made for reaching into coral to grab sponges.

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Scutes

This is key. The scutes overlap like roof shingles. No other sea turtle has that. If you see overlapping plates, it’s a hawksbill.

Size

Smaller than most others. Around 2.5 feet long and 100 to 150 pounds tops. More compact but still powerful.

Habitat

They love coral reefs and rocky coastal areas in tropical regions. Common in the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

5. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

This one’s the most common sea turtle—but also the easiest to overlook. Small, simple, and not flashy like the hawksbill. But don’t sleep on it. These guys travel in massive groups when nesting, which is wild to see.

Here’s how to tell if you’re looking at an Olive Ridley.

Shell Shape and Color

The shell is rounder than most sea turtles—almost circular. Color stays true to the name: olive-green to grayish, sometimes with a dull sheen.

It’s not showy, but it gets the job done.

Head and Beak

Head is small and rounded. Nothing extreme. The beak isn’t too sharp either—just a basic setup for an omnivore diet.

Scutes

They usually have 6 to 9 costal scutes on each side, which is more than the others. That’s a big clue. And no overlaps here—just neatly lined up.

Size

They’re the smallest of the bunch. Around 2 to 2.5 feet long, and weigh about 75 to 100 pounds. Easy to spot just by size if you’re comparing.

Habitat

Found in warm oceans all over the world. Most famous for their mass nesting events—called arribadas—on beaches in India, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Thousands of them come ashore at once. It’s chaos, but turtle-style.

6. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

If sea turtles had a secret club, Kemp’s Ridley would be the elusive member nobody sees. Small, rare, and endangered—it’s like the sea turtle version of a limited edition.

Here’s how to recognize it if you’re lucky enough to see one.

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Shell Shape and Color

The shell is round and domed—kind of like the Olive Ridley but flatter on top. Color is grayish-green on the back and pale yellow or white underneath. Nothing flashy, just low-key.

Head and Beak

Head is short and triangular, but a bit bulkier than the Olive Ridley. The beak has a slight hook but not as sharp as the hawksbill.

Scutes

Usually 5 costal scutes on each side. No overlapping. Clean and simple layout. If you’re comparing it with an Olive Ridley, the number of scutes and head shape help.

Size

Smallest sea turtle on the list. Around 2 feet long and up to 100 pounds max. If it looks like a compact sea turtle, there’s a good chance it’s this one.

Habitat

Mostly found in the Gulf of Mexico and occasionally along the U.S. east coast. Like the Olive Ridley, they also do arribadas—but on a much smaller scale, usually in Mexico’s Tamaulipas region.

7. Flatback Sea Turtle

You won’t see this one unless you’re in Australia. It’s the homebody of the sea turtle family—sticks close to shore and doesn’t bother with long migrations.

But if you’re down under, here’s how to know you’ve found a Flatback.

Shell Shape and Color

The name says it all—the shell is flat. It’s broad, low, and has a soft edge, almost like it got pressed down. Color is pale gray, greenish, or sometimes even yellowish. The underside is cream to light yellow.

Head and Beak

The head is medium-sized and smooth. Nothing exaggerated. The beak is short and rounded—nothing aggressive or hooked.

Scutes

Flatbacks usually have 4 scutes on each side, like the green turtle. But the scutes are thin and don’t rise much above the shell’s surface. The edge of the shell also flares out slightly.

Size

Medium to large, but not heavy. Around 3.5 feet long and 200–250 pounds. So, flat but wide.

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Habitat

Only found around northern Australia. Nowhere else. They prefer shallow coastal waters, bays, and reefs. No deep-sea roaming for this one.