Flatback Sea Turtle

The flatback sea turtle is a sturdy, relatively small chelonian found exclusively in Australian waters and the Timor Sea. Its shell is notably flat and broad, with a yellowish or olive hue, and it rarely ventures far from its natal beaches. Flatbacks are bottom feeders, hunting sea cucumbers and soft corals on shallow continental shelves, typically to depths of around 60 metres. They are the least migratory of sea turtles, making them vulnerable to coastal development and fishing pressure in their restricted range.