Most turtles are able to withdraw into their shell as a means of escaping a predator. No sea turtle is able to do this. Loggerhead sea turtles have their hard shell, their size, and their rough, scaly skin on the head and neck to protect them from predation. These defenses are usually sufficient for adults and larger juveniles, but these turtles are sometimes preyed on by sharks and killed by humans. Hatchlings and eggs have many predators and few defenses. Females try to disguise newly laid nests as much as possible, but they still suffer high predation rates. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in U.S. can destroy up to 80% of nests on some beaches. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Australia may destroy 90 to 95% of nests. In some areas of the world human predation on nests is substantial. Hatchlings generally emerge from the nest at night to lessen chances of predation, but many are then taken by crabs, birds (gulls, frigate birds, vultures, crows, etc.), raccoons, canids (foxes, dogs, etc.), and carnivorous fish.

Known Predators:

• bears (Ursus)
• red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
• side-striped jackals (Canis adustus)
• raccoons (Procyon lotor)
• honey badgers (Mellivora capensis)
• humans (Homo sapiens)
• dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)
• frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens)
• crows Corvus 
• carnivorous fish (Actinopterygii)
• ants (Formicidae)
• crabs (Decapoda)
• hogs (Sus)
• armadillos (Dasypodidae)
• sharks (Chondrichthyes)
• seagulls (Larus)
• rats (Rattus)
• small cats (Felis)
• skunks (Mephitis)
• opossums (Didelphis)
• bobcats and lynxes (Lynx)