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Sports

VIDEO: 'Tudor' the Sea Turtle Makes Rare Appearance, Entertains in Dana Point

This loggerhead sea turtle was spotted swimming off the Dana Point coastline recently, says Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari.

Dolphins, and whales and turtles, oh my!  

be it but passengers aboard a sea excursion to see whales this past week had a reare treat in the form of a rather large turtle.  

According to the folks at  Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari, passengers aboard one of its vessels, got to witness a loggerhead sea turtle. And not just any sea turtle, this one was nicknamed "Tudor" by first-mate Mark Tyson, and measured around three feet long.

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The turtle -- who by the looks of the photos didn’t seem to have a care in the world -- was spotted swimming about 2 1/2 miles off the Dana Point coastline last week.  

You can also watch the video here.

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“Turtles are very rarely seen in the open ocean off Orange County so passengers and crew alike were very excited by this unique sighting. We've only encountered a few turtles within the last decade. Though loggerheads are the most numerous of all the marine turtle species in the U.S., threats like pollution and fishing gear entanglement remain a problem and have kept this animal on worldwide endangered lists,” said crew members from Capt. Dave’s.

Fast facts about loggerheads according to NationalGeographic.com

Type: ReptileDiet:  CarnivoreAverage life span in the wild: More than 50 yearsSize: 36 in (90 cm)Weight: 253 pounds (115 kg)Group name: FlotillaProtection status: EndangeredDid you know? Sea turtles can move through the water at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 km) per hour.
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