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Natator depressus
A shallow-water turtle with a low shell and upturned edges.
Meet this turtle
All known flatback breeding sites are in Australia, but feeding grounds extend into Indonesian and Papua New Guinean waters. Flatbacks favor shallow, soft-bottomed habitats. They eat animals such as sea cucumbers, soft corals, and jellyfish. Their nesting seasons vary across northern Australia.
Conservation in context
Australia lists the flatback as Vulnerable under national legislation. That national listing is different from a global IUCN assessment.
Global assessments and national legal listings answer different questions. For a dated global comparison, see the seven-species guide. Categories can change as assessments are updated.
Think like a scientist
Why is “nests only in Australia” different from “lives only in Australia”?
Keep exploring
Check the source
Australian Government: flatback turtle. Source checked . This is an editorial source check, not independent scientific certification.