Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
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Integrated <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Resources</strong> Management Plan [March 2012 - Update]<br />
ventral (plastral) surfaces, as well as the dorsal surface of the head whenever possible to<br />
assist in the identification of the species (Holland 1998b).<br />
The Pacific loggerhead turtle is the least common aquatic reptile to pass through ocean<br />
waters off <strong>Base</strong>, and only a single record of observation is known (Holland 1998b).<br />
Loggerheads were named for their relatively large heads, which support powerful jaws and<br />
enable them to feed on hard-shelled prey, such as whelks and conch. The carapace (top<br />
shell) is slightly heart-shaped and reddish-brown in adults and sub-adults, while the<br />
plastron (bottom shell) is generally a pale-yellowish color. The neck and flippers are<br />
usually dull-brown to reddish-brown on top and medium to pale-yellow on the sides and<br />
bottom. Carapace length of adults is approximately 36 in (92 cm) long; corresponding<br />
weight is about 250 lbs (113 kg) (USFWS 2009c). The only know breeding locations in the<br />
North Pacific are in Japan (USFWS 2007g). On 22 September 2011, the USFWS issued a<br />
final rule which divided existing loggerhead turtle populations into 9 distinct population<br />
segments; the potential loggerhead habitat offshore of the <strong>Base</strong> is considered part of the<br />
Northern Pacific Distinct Population Segment (DPS) (USFWS 2011g).<br />
There is a resident foraging population of green sea turtles in the San Diego Bay area that<br />
breed throughout Mexico; no know breeding sites are along the coast of California<br />
(USFWS 2007h). The species is known to pass through the ocean waters off <strong>Base</strong>,<br />
however, the quantity and frequency is unknown without further study (Holland 1998b).<br />
The green sea turtle grows to a maximum length of about 4 feet and a weight of 440<br />
pounds. It has a heart-shaped shell, small head, and single-clawed flippers. Color is<br />
variable. Hatchlings generally have a black carapace, white plastron, and white margins on<br />
the shell and limbs. The adult carapace is smooth, keelless, and light to dark brown with<br />
dark mottling; the plastron is whitish to light-yellow. Adult heads are light-brown with<br />
yellow markings. Identifying characteristics include four pairs of costal scutes, none of<br />
which borders the nuchal scute, and only one pair of prefrontal scales between the eyes<br />
(USFWS 2009d).<br />
Leatherback sea turtle records are scarce, but it is likely that the species passes through the<br />
offshore waters of the <strong>Base</strong> on a frequent basis; however, further study would have to be<br />
conducted to affirm the frequency of its presence (Holland 1998b). No know breeding sites<br />
are along the coast of California (USFWS 2007i). The leatherback is the largest, deepest<br />
diving, most migratory and widest ranging of all sea turtles. The adult leatherback can<br />
reach 4 to 8 feet in length and 500 to 2000 pounds in weight, and is the largest living reptile<br />
in the world. Its shell is composed of a mosaic of small bones covered by firm, rubbery,<br />
oil-saturated skin with seven longitudinal ridges or keels. The skin is predominantly black<br />
with varying degrees of pale spotting; including a notable pink spot on the dorsal surface of<br />
the head in adults. A toothlike cusp is located on each side of the gray upper jaw; the lower<br />
jaw is hooked anteriorly. The paddle-like clawless limbs are black with white margins and<br />
pale spotting (USFWS 2009e).<br />
The olive ridley was named for the olive color of its heart-shaped shell, and is one of the<br />
smallest of the sea turtles, with adults reaching 2 to 2.5 feet in length and weighing 80 to<br />
110 pounds. The species may be identified by the uniquely high and variable numbers of<br />
vertebral and costal scutes. Although some individuals have only five pairs of costals, in<br />
nearly all cases some division of costal scutes occurs, so that as many as six to nine pairs<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 3 – <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Resources</strong> 3-29