Scientists recognize seven living species of sea turtles, which are grouped into six genera. Each sea turtle has both a scientific name and a common name. The scientific name identifies the genus and species, and the common name typically describes some characteristic of the turtle’s body.

Different species of sea turtles like to eat different kinds of food. Sea turtles have mouths and jaws that are specially formed to help them eat the foods they like. And each species of sea turtle eats, sleeps, mates and swims in distinctly different areas. Sometimes their habitats overlap, but for the most part they each have different preferences.

Click on each turtle’s common name to learn more about that species and view a map of their world-wide distribution and nesting sites.