Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
key morphological traits: Average carapace length when fully grown is 35 inches and average adult weight is 298 lbs. The carapace has a yellow-orange to reddish-brown color, while the plastron is usually light yellow.
functional/ecological fun facts: Sexual dimorphism is only visible in adults, where adult males have longer tails and claws than adult females.
This bird was with 2? baby birds
An adult was escorting babies around.
Sighted upon a commercial whale watching vessel.
Photo credit to Blue Dolphin Marine Tours - my lens wasn’t powerful enough!