Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 day ago
Rare orange loggerhead hatchling spotted in Florida
A Florida resident spotted an unusually orange loggerhead turtle hatchling heading toward the ocean in August.
Loggerhead hatchlings usually have brown shells and dark flippers, so this coloring is rare.
The orange shade inspired the nickname “Pumpkin Spice.”
Young loggerheads use their coloring to blend in with floating seaweed and avoid predators.
This hatchling’s unusual color may offer less camouflage, though the sources do not say what happened to it afterward.
Florida has one of the world’s largest loggerhead nesting areas.
Loggerheads are classified as Endangered by the IUCN and Threatened under US federal rules, with bycatch in commercial fishing among their significant threats.
A Florida native spotted a rare orange loggerhead hatchling making its way toward the water in August.
Biologist Daniel Evans said unusual shell colors are rare in loggerhead hatchlings.
The orange coloration may make the hatchling less camouflaged from predators, which can hide among mats of seaweed.
Loggerhead turtles are classified as Endangered by the IUCN and Threatened by the United States.
Florida is home to one of the world’s largest loggerhead nesting aggregations.
- Who
- Florida native Michael Landress spotted the hatchling; biologist Daniel Evans commented on its coloration.
- What
- A rare orange loggerhead turtle hatchling was spotted making its way toward the water.
- When
- In August. The article was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Florida.
- Why
- Not stated why the hatchling was orange. Its unusual coloration may provide less camouflage from predators.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This little one, surprisingly, had an earthy tone of autumn. ‘Pumpkin Spice’ sprang to mind as the little orange hatchling raced to its ocean home,
For hatchling loggerhead sea turtles, coloration is important for camouflage and hiding from predators while floating in mats of seaweed, such as sargassum,
Michael Landress spotted the loggerhead hatchling making its way toward the water in Florida.
Popular Science published its article about the rare orange hatchling.
- Species
- Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Color
- Orange, described by Landress as “Pumpkin Spice
- Spotter
- Michael Landress
- Location
- Florida
- Conservation status
- Endangered by the IUCN and federally designated as Threatened in the United States
Sources
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