Trinidad & Tobago is home to five of the seven species of sea turtles found globally. Three species, the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) nest on the twin islands beaches. The Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) are less common locally but they are occasionally sighted at sea and there are even a few nesting records but these are few and far between.
Sea turtles regularly migrate vast distances between foraging grounds (feeding areas) and nesting beaches. Turtles that nest in T&T come from widely scattered foraging grounds, many of which are outside the territorial boundaries of the country. All species of sea turtle found in T&T are listed as endangered. The Leatherback and the Hawksbill turtle are listed as critically endangered.
