Details
Dermochelys coriacea
The leatherback sea turtle is one of the largest sea turtles, ranging through the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Diurnal and solitary, it pursues jellyfish in open water.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses open ocean from tropical to cool seas and comes ashore only to nest. Productive feeding waters and safe nesting beaches are both essential.
Shell length is about 130-180 cm and weight about 250-700 kg. Instead of hard scutes, it has a black leathery carapace with strong lengthwise ridges.
It migrates long distances alone and can dive deeply. Its ability to retain heat allows it to enter colder waters than many other sea turtles.
It is carnivorous, feeding mainly on jellyfish and other gelatinous animals. Backward-pointing structures in the mouth help hold slippery prey.
Females land on sandy beaches, dig nests, and lay many eggs. Hatchlings crawl to the sea and grow in oceanic habitats.
Its status is listed as Vulnerable. Bycatch, plastic ingestion, and loss of nesting beaches are major concerns, requiring international conservation.
