Leatherback Turtles

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Leatherback Turtles

Threats to Survival

Such as balloons and plastic bags floating in the water, which are mistaken for jellyfish.

Greatest threat to leatherback sea turtles is from incidental take in commercial fisheries and marine pollution

Physical Traits

Mature leatherbacks reach about 1.2 to 1.9 m (3.9-6.2 ft.) and 200 to 506 kg (441-1,116 lb.).

The largest leatherback recorded weighed 916 kg (2,019 lb.).

The leatherback is the largest of all living sea turtles.

Adult male and female sea turtles are equal in size.

Diet

It is remarkable that this large, active animal can survive on a diet of jellyfish, which are composed mostly of water and appear to be a poor source of nutrients.

Subtopic

Their jaws would be damaged by anything other than a diet of soft-bodied animals, so they feed almost exclusively on jellyfish.

Leatherbacks have delicate, scissor-like jaws.

Habitat

Known to be active in water below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the only reptile known to remain active at such a low temperature.

Primarily found in the open ocean, as far north as Alaska and as far south as the southern tip of Africa.