Discovering the "Lost Years"

The North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program is aiming to discover the "Lost Years" of the flatback turtle by identifying where they go as post-hatchlings and juveniles. These young flatbacks have shells (carapace length) between 8 - 50cm long. They are between the ages of hatchlings (turtles freshly emerged from their nest) and approximately 12 years old. 

In recent years we have found post-hatchling and juvenile flatbacks in the waters of Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay Marine Park (pictured here with a satellite tracking device attached). To better understand their life cycle and the pressures they face for survival, we need to know where flatbacks spend their time when they are small and vulnerable so we can better protect and manage these habitats in the future. 

Check out this infographic for what we know so far about the life cycle of the flatback turtle.

See the images and descriptions below to identify different ages of flatback turtles.

This is a hatchling flatback turtle.

This is a post-hatchling flatback turtle.

This is a juvenile flatback turtle.

Report a flatback sighting
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.