ABSTRACT: Direct observation of animal behaviour is essential for the effective conservation of
endangered species in their natural habitat, understanding their function within ecosystems and validating
inferences made using remote technology. The aim of this study was to document the daytime
behavioural activity of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta at a temperate breeding area through
direct observations. Between April and July of 2003 to 2005, turtle behaviour on initial sighting was
recorded during 287 h of observation, comprising 1534 sighting events of solitary (n = 80 male, n =
1335 female) and social (n = 65 same sex, n = 54 mixed sex) activity. We grouped observed activities
into 4 solitary and 2 social behaviours, which were divided into 14 sub-categories. Solitary behaviour
included resting, swimming, foraging and cleaning. Social behaviour included antagonistic interactions
and reproductive activity. Foraging, cleaning and female–female contests are not documented
in published literature for loggerhead sea turtles at breeding areas. Our results suggest that during
the breeding period (1) male behaviour was primarily social and active (2) female behaviour was
primarily solitary and inactive.