Abstract

Human and natural factors threaten loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta, Linnaeus 1758) survival in the western Mediterranean basin. Loggerhead stranding data in the south of Spain provide evidence that human activities are having a more detrimental effect on larger-sized loggerhead turtles. The straight carapace length of 162 individuals affected by natural causes averaged 35.15 cm; whereas, that of 179 individuals affected by human-related causes averaged 46.23 cm. The difference was highly significant.