Types of Sea Turtles in New York
New York's coastal waters host four main sea turtle species: loggerhead, green, Kemp's ridley, and leatherback. These reptiles appear from late spring through early fall, with most sightings near Long Island and the South Shore. Start your search by learning the shell shapes and sizes that separate each type.
New York's coastal waters host four main sea turtle species: loggerhead, green, Kemp's ridley, and leatherback. These reptiles appear from late spring through early fall, with most sightings near Long Island and the South Shore. Start your search by learning the shell shapes and sizes that separate each type.
1. What are the most common types of sea turtles in New York?
The four species you are most likely to encounter in New York waters are the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), and the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). Loggerheads top the list for nestling and foraging nearshore, while greens prefer shallow bays. Kemp's ridleys, the smallest of the bunch, show up in smaller numbers but are regularly seen. Leatherbacks, the giants, pass through offshore during their seasonal migrations.
2. How can you tell the main sea turtle species apart?
Focus on shell shape, head size, and color. Loggerheads have a distinctly large head and a reddish-brown carapace. Green turtles have a more oval, smooth shell with olive or brown tones. Kemp's ridleys are the smallest, with a nearly round, gray-green shell. Leatherbacks stand out with a leathery, ridged shell (no hard scutes) and a white-pinkish underside. Size also helps: leatherbacks can reach 6 feet, while Kemp's ridleys top out at about 2 feet.
3. Where and when are each species most likely to be seen in New York?
Your best odds run from June through September. Loggerheads and greens frequent the inshore waters of Long Island, especially around Peconic Bay, Jamaica Bay, and the south shore estuaries. Kemp's ridleys turn up in the same zones but are more scattered. Leatherbacks stick to deeper offshore waters, though you might spot them from a boat along the continental shelf break. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times for surface sightings.
4. What other sea turtle species have been recorded here?
Occasionally, you may hear of a hawksbill or an olive ridley straying into New York waters. These are extremely rare and usually tied to warm eddies or strong storms. If you think you have seen one, document the shell pattern carefully. Hawksbills have overlapping scutes and a hawklike beak. Olive ridleys look similar to Kemp's but have a slightly more elongated shell and six or more scutes on each side.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
5. Why are sea turtles important to New York's coastal ecosystem?
Sea turtles help maintain healthy seagrass beds and jellyfish populations. Green turtles graze on seagrass, promoting new growth, while leatherbacks and loggerheads keep jellyfish numbers in check. Kemp's ridleys dig for crabs, aerating the seafloor. Their presence signals a functioning marine food web. Seeing one is a good sign for the local habitat.
6. How should you report a sea turtle sighting or a stranded turtle?
If you see a live or dead sea turtle on a New York beach, call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at (631) 444-0480 or the Riverhead Foundation's 24-hour stranding hotline at (631) 369-9829. Note the location, time, and any visible injuries. Do not return a turtle to the water without expert guidance, as it may be sick or disoriented.