The Loggerhead Turtle is a threatened species and is on the internationa red list for threatened fauna. These turtles, with their large heads and reddish-brown shell, come to the Iztuzu beach between May and September to lay their eggs. They have yellowish-white underparts and can reach lengths of ca.1m. The turtle only attains maturity after 15 years and can easily weigh between 80-200kg; some specimens have been found to weigh 545kg!
The adult turtles meet in the lagoon of the Dalyan delta a few weeks before the female lays her eggs. Here they feed before the lengthy and very audible mating takes place. The females return to the beach on average once every three years, laying clutches of between 140-160 eggs during the season. No parasols may be stuck into the sand on this beach because these animals and their nests are protected. The beach is also only accessible at certain times for the same reason. The known nests on the beach are clearly marked.