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Glite Dictionary
Caretta caretta

Caretta caretta

8.9
A large sea turtle called the loggerhead that eats other animals and lives in warm and temperate oceans worldwide
  • noun
  • /kəˈrɛtə kəˈrɛtə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Caretta caretta
  • The Caretta caretta is an endangered species due to habitat loss and accidental capture in fishing gear.

Examples

  • Researchers tracked the migration of several Caretta caretta across the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Tourists gathered on the beach to watch newly hatched Caretta caretta make their way to the sea.

  • The Caretta caretta is often seen basking on the beaches.

  • Are Caretta carettas endangered due to habitat loss?

  • The Caretta caretta, also known as the loggerhead turtle, nests on sandy beaches during the warmer months.

  • Scientists study the migration patterns of the Caretta caretta across the Atlantic Ocean.

  • In some areas, conservation efforts help protect the Caretta caretta from threats such as habitat destruction.

Synonyms

loggerhead
vsCaretta caretta
  • US
2 8.2

A very large sea turtle with a big head and strong jaws

is the scientific name used for the same species worldwide
loggerhead turtle
vsCaretta caretta
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A large sea turtle with a broad head that eats crabs and fish

is the scientific name for this large carnivorous marine species

Surface Forms

Caretta caretta singular
Caretta carettas plural

Morphology

Caretta + Caretta

Caretta caretta is a Latin binomial (a taxonomic proper name) rather than a compositional English phrase; its meaning as 'the loggerhead sea turtle' cannot be derived by combining ordinary English word meanings. Even if a learner knew the (specialist) term 'Caretta' as a genus, recognizing the doubled Latin name and mapping it to the common species and its properties requires specific biological or encyclopedic knowledge, so it is not transparently predictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Caretta caretta may come from an old word for 'turtle', so the scientific name simply repeats Caretta to name the animal. That's why this doubled name points to the large sea turtle called the 'loggerhead'.