Leatherback Sea Turtle
Dermochelys coriacea
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of the seven sea turtle species. Unlike other sea turtles, it has a leather-like, flexible shell. They have the widest global distribution of all the reptile species and are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Dermochelys coriacea
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
CLIMATE CHANGE:
At the Aquarium
These turtles are not on display at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Geographic Distribution
Globally, they have the widest distribution of all reptile species. The leatherback sea turtle is found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Adult leatherbacks can also travel as far north as Canada and Norway and as far south as New Zealand and South America.
Habitat
Leatherbacks are the most pelagic (open ocean dwelling) of all sea turtles and are known for their deep diving. They make extensive migrations for different feeding areas, depending on the season. When ready to lay eggs, adult females require sandy beaches with vegetation and preferably a sloped surface to allow for a shorter distance from water to dry sand. Females also favor beaches that are close to deep water and often, rough seas.
Physical Characteristics
They are the largest of the seven species of sea turtles They use their large body size, blood flow and thick fat layer (and their swimming activity) to adapt to chilly water. It is the only sea turtle that does not have a hard shell. It can be identified by seven distinct ridges on its rubbery shell.
Size
These turtles can grow to over 2 meters (7 feet) and weight up to 907 kilograms (2,000 pounds).
Diet
Leatherbacks primarily feed on jellyfish, salps, and siphonophores. They have backward-pointing spines in their mouth/throat to help retain prey.
Reproduction
After mating at sea, leatherback females come ashore during the breeding season to nest. While dark, they dig a hole in the sand and deposit usually 60—90 eggs. They then recover the nest in sand to make it hard for predators to detect. Afterwards, the turtles return to the sea. The temperature inside the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings: a temperature cooler than 29.5 C (85.1F) produces males and warmer than 29.5 C (85.1F) produces females. The nest must maintain a temperature around 29.5 C (85.1 F) for eggs to survive.
Behavior
They can dive to depths of 1,280 meters (4,200 feet) and stay at that depth for up to 85 minutes.
Leatherback sea turtles make extensive migrations for feeding and breeding, sometimes, traveling over 6200 kilometers (10,000 miles) a year between sites.
Males spend their whole lives at sea while females come on shore to lay eggs.
Adaptation
They have amazing adaptations to be able to survive in chilly water including their large body size, changes in swimming activity and blood flow, and a thick layer of fat.
Their flexible, leather-like shell, with ridges along the carapace that taper to a point just above the tail give the turtles a more hydrodynamic structure—perfect for diving to deep depths in the ocean!
Longevity
Although the turtle’s longevity is unknown, it is estimated to be around 50 years.
Conservation
Now declared as Vulnerable, leatherback sea turtles are decreasing at an alarming rate in the Pacific Ocean. Threats to these turtles include residential and commercial development, use of their meat and eggs, climate change, and severe weather. There are many conservation efforts underway for these turtles including monitoring populations, protecting their natural habitats, and educating the public about these amazing animals. You can help protect sea turtles by reducing the amount of plastic waste (like plastic bags and straws) that enters our waters. Animals, including turtles, may mistake this for food like sea jellies!
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Dermochelys coriacea
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
CLIMATE CHANGE:
These turtles are not on display at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Globally, they have the widest distribution of all reptile species. The leatherback sea turtle is found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Adult leatherbacks can also travel as far north as Canada and Norway and as far south as New Zealand and South America.
Leatherbacks are the most pelagic (open ocean dwelling) of all sea turtles and are known for their deep diving. They make extensive migrations for different feeding areas, depending on the season. When ready to lay eggs, adult females require sandy beaches with vegetation and preferably a sloped surface to allow for a shorter distance from water to dry sand. Females also favor beaches that are close to deep water and often, rough seas.
They are the largest of the seven species of sea turtles They use their large body size, blood flow and thick fat layer (and their swimming activity) to adapt to chilly water. It is the only sea turtle that does not have a hard shell. It can be identified by seven distinct ridges on its rubbery shell.
These turtles can grow to over 2 meters (7 feet) and weight up to 907 kilograms (2,000 pounds).
Leatherbacks primarily feed on jellyfish, salps, and siphonophores. They have backward-pointing spines in their mouth/throat to help retain prey.
After mating at sea, leatherback females come ashore during the breeding season to nest. While dark, they dig a hole in the sand and deposit usually 60—90 eggs. They then recover the nest in sand to make it hard for predators to detect. Afterwards, the turtles return to the sea. The temperature inside the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings: a temperature cooler than 29.5 C (85.1F) produces males and warmer than 29.5 C (85.1F) produces females. The nest must maintain a temperature around 29.5 C (85.1 F) for eggs to survive.
They can dive to depths of 1,280 meters (4,200 feet) and stay at that depth for up to 85 minutes.
Leatherback sea turtles make extensive migrations for feeding and breeding, sometimes, traveling over 6200 kilometers (10,000 miles) a year between sites.
Males spend their whole lives at sea while females come on shore to lay eggs.
They have amazing adaptations to be able to survive in chilly water including their large body size, changes in swimming activity and blood flow, and a thick layer of fat.
Their flexible, leather-like shell, with ridges along the carapace that taper to a point just above the tail give the turtles a more hydrodynamic structure—perfect for diving to deep depths in the ocean!
Although the turtle’s longevity is unknown, it is estimated to be around 50 years.
Now declared as Vulnerable, leatherback sea turtles are decreasing at an alarming rate in the Pacific Ocean. Threats to these turtles include residential and commercial development, use of their meat and eggs, climate change, and severe weather. There are many conservation efforts underway for these turtles including monitoring populations, protecting their natural habitats, and educating the public about these amazing animals. You can help protect sea turtles by reducing the amount of plastic waste (like plastic bags and straws) that enters our waters. Animals, including turtles, may mistake this for food like sea jellies!