Leatherback Sea Turtles are an ancient lineage over 70 million years old that outlived the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs. During their long migrations, leatherbacks regularly dive to depths greater than 1,000 m (3,281 ft) in search of gelatinous zooplankton to eat. It swims around the globe, crossing the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean and travelling as far north as Alaska and Norway and as far south as the most southern point of New Zealand, South America and South Africa. Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 – Tax ID #23-7245152 – Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Ocean Action Network, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance and Rippl are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. It grows up to 7 feet (2 meters) long and weighs up to 2,000 lbs. ). 2007. Special Focus Issue: The Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, Number 2. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 6(1):1-162. From marine debris to light pollution to exposure to habitat destruction, these animals need our help. ). 1996. Special Focus Issue: The Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2(2):137-324. The paddle-like clawless limbs are black with white margins and pale spotting. Hatchlings are predominantly black with white flipper margins and keels on the carapace. Jellyfish are the main staple of its diet, but it is also known to feed on sea urchins, squid, crustaceans, tunicates, fish, blue-green algae, and floating seaweed. They can swim to depths of 4,200 feet and hold their breath for almost an hour and a half. Rhodin (eds. It presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate this large, one-of-a-kind sea turtle—and I can’t wait to share some of my favorite leatherback turtle facts with you. The Galápagos tortoise grows up to 6 feet (183 cm) long and 573 lbs. Email: seaturtle @ fws.gov, Program Officer, Marine Turtle Conservation Fund Adults weigh between 660 to 1,100 pounds (300-500 kg). The Leatherback Sea Turtle, also known as the lute turtle or the leathery turtle, is the largest sea turtle and the most migratory. (272 to 680 kilograms) and is about 4.5 to 5.25 feet (139 to 160 centimeters) long, according to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF). STATUS: Endangered throughout its range (Federal Register, June 2, 1970). and was designated in January 2012. (900 kilograms). Stewart, K. and C. Johnson. 2006. Dermochelys coriacea - leatherback sea turtle. Chelonian Research Monographs 3:144-157. Leatherbacks are essentially pelagic turtles but they also frequent coastal waters for feeding. Leatherback Sea Turtle Habitat. 172 p. Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on Earth, growing up to seven feet long and exceeding 2,000 pounds. Recent DNA analysis confirms that Atlantic and Pacific populations are genetically distinct lineages of a single species. Take the pledge today: promise to actively “E.V.O.L.V.E.” to help our oceans’ turtles! National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Moreover, the throat of leatherbacks contains backward-pointing spines. The leatherback sea turtle is the most unique of all sea turtle species. Seminoff (eds. A leatherback's top shell (carapace) is about 1.5 inches thick and consists of leathery, oil-saturated connective tissue overlaying loosely interlocking dermal bones. HABITAT: The leatherback is the most pelagic [open ocean dwelling] of the sea turtles. Their smooth, leathery skin covers a flexible matrix of bone. SCCF happened upon a leatherback sea turtle nesting during one of the foundation’s nightly surveys. Its exoskeleton, called carapace, is flexible and elongated, marked with seven ridges that run down the length of the shell. Leatherback sea turtles are the biggest turtles on Earth. Unlike other sea turtles who have hard outer shells, leatherbacks have soft, rubbery backs. During nesting season, female leatherbacks return to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. The largest leatherback ever recorded was almost 10 feet (305 cm) from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail and weighed in at 2,019 pounds (916 kg). RANGE AND POPULATION LEVEL: The leatherback turtle is distributed worldwide in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. But these modern-day turtles pale in comparison to ancient sea turtles. Our mission is to promote the conservation of leatherbacks and other turtles at risk of extinction. Fax: (703) 358-2115. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. favorite leatherback turtle facts with you, Take the pledge today: promise to actively “, be sure to check out our Wildlife Fact Sheets to learn even more about this large, loveable marine reptile. You may already know, when it comes to size, the leatherback sea turtle stands out among the rest. Leatherback. It inhabits marine ecosystems and lays its eggs on lands in dramatic nesting events. Eckert, K.L., B.P. The leatherback is also known as a luth. In Florida, nesting varied between 540 and 1,747 nests per year between 2006 and 2010, with the majority of nesting occurring along the southeast Atlantic coast in Brevard through Broward Counties. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, leatherback nesting has been reported on the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. However, the most significant nesting activity occurs on Sandy Point, St. Croix. There are seven species of sea turtle and some are much larger than others. But first, we can’t talk about leatherback sea turtles without acknowledging that these incredible animals are in trouble. The proposed addition measures approximately 70.6 mi.2. Pritchard, and A.G.J. Phone: (703) 358-2277 Their carapace h… Terms and Conditions. and J.A. Rhodin, A.G.J. ). 2003. In addition, efforts have been undertaken to reduce leatherback mortality associated with the longline fishery. Many coastal counties and communities have developed lighting ordinances to reduce hatchling disorientations. Important U.S. nesting beaches have been and continue to be acquired for long-term protection. Weight: 660 to 1,100 pounds (300 – 500 kg). Sea turtles normally possess chewing plates that allow them to chew solid prey item. ). 1997. The Biology of Sea Turtles. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL. Their preferred beaches have proximity to deep water and generally rough seas. Msg & data rates may apply. The enormous leatherback sea turtle has an average length of 1-2 metres (6-12 ft) and weighs 250-700kg (550-1500 lb). Scientists estimate Pacific leatherbacks have declined by more than 80% in the last 40 years. They are sometimes found in large groups, especially around large schools of jellyfish. Leatherback sea turtles can be distinguished from other species of sea turtle by its lack of a hard shell or scales. Leatherback sea turtles travelled about 12,000 km in 10 months. Arlington, VA 22203 Size The leatherback can reach up to 180cm, and 500kg in weight. Other sea turtle species are smaller, being mostly 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) long and proportionally narrower. They are the largest sea turtle in the ocean: growing up to seven feet in length and weighing more than 2,000 pounds. Hatchlings have white dotting along the ridges of their backs and on the margins of the flippers. Their jaws would be damaged by Their size isn’t their only distinguishing trait. Typically incubation takes from 55 to 75 days, and emergence of the hatchlings occurs at night. Most leatherbacks remigrate to their nesting beaches at 2 to 3-year intervals. Leatherbacks are believed to reach sexual maturity in about 16 years. Exclusive Economic Zone to 47° 57' 38" N./ 126° 22' 54" W. then south along a line approximating the 2,000 meter 112 isobath that passes through points at 47° 39' 55" N./ 126° 13' 28" W., 45° 20' 16" N./ 125° 21' W. to 42° 49' 59" N./ 125° 8' 10" W then east to the point of origin at Cape Blanco. Fish and Wildlife Service varied from 13 to 163 between 2001 and 2010. The leatherback is the largest turtle in the world, and has a primarily black rubbery skin with pinkish-white coloring on its underside. Wallace, J.G. Synopsis of the Biological Data on the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Biological Technical Publication, BTP-R4015-2012. 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