Turtle Beach (also known as İztuzu Beach) is a 4.5 km long strip of sand in southwestern Turkey. It is one of the main breeding grounds in the Mediterranean for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) which is one of the oldest surviving species in the world, and the beach is therefore often referred to as "Turtle Beach". As the Caretta caretta is on the IUCN Red list of endangered animals, the beach has had a protected status. It is one of the rare spots in the Mediterranean without a single house, shop or hotel in sight except for kiosks serving hot and cold beverages and snacks as well as showers and toilets. During the day people swim, walk, lie in the sun but at night a barrier comes down and the beach is claimed back by nature, in particular by hundreds of loggerhead turtles, which lay their eggs there from May to September.