An open dataset of 3D body scans and morphometric metadata of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along the Sicilian coasts (Mediterranean Sea)

Three-dimensional (3D) scanning captures the three-dimensional geometry of physical objects digitally. Object height, width, depth, and surface texture can be reproduced in a three-dimensional digital space. Here, we describe the first open dataset of three-dimensional body scans of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along the Sicilian coasts (Mediterranean Sea), encompassing 20 individuals. The dataset includes morphological measurements of selected body parts (carapace, head, volume, and body mass), obtained from both manual field measurements and 3D software-derived estimates. Statistical comparison revealed a significant systematic underestimation of head length by manual field measurements relative to 3D-derived values (mean bias: −1.00 cm, RMSE = 1.30 cm, p < 0.001), while curved carapace width showed a smaller but significant negative bias (mean bias: −0.37 cm, p = 0.029); carapace length and head width did not differ significantly between methods. This dataset can be further expanded and used for future morphological comparisons among specimens from different regions within and beyond the Mediterranean basin.