GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 441
Short Title: Loggerhead Turtle/State Saltwater Reptile. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Iler, Goodwin, Davis, and Kidwell (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Wildlife Resources, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules,
Calendar, and Operations of the House
March 20, 2025
*H441 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ADOPT THE LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTL E AS THE OFFICIAL 2
SALTWATER REPTILE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. 3
Whereas, the loggerhead sea turtle is the most common sea turtle found along the 4
coast of North Carolina; and 5
Whereas, loggerhead sea turtles can live up to 50 years, growing over three feet in 6
length and weighing over 250 pounds; and 7
Whereas, loggerhead sea turtles got their name because their heads resembled logs; 8
and 9
Whereas, the diets of loggerhead sea turtles consist of horseshoe crabs, conchs, 10
whelks, and other mollusks; and 11
Whereas, female loggerhead sea turtles dig hundreds of nests on the beaches of North 12
Carolina; and 13
Whereas, a female loggerhead sea turtle can lay 100 or more eggs with hatchlings 14
appearing in about 60 days; and 15
Whereas, the State of North Carolina does not have an official saltwater reptile; Now, 16
therefore, 17
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 18
SECTION 1. Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 19
section to read: 20
"ยง 145-52. State saltwater reptile. 21
The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is adopted as the official saltwater reptile of the 22
State of North Carolina." 23
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. 24