Species spotlight: Leatherback Sea Turtle
Sep 14th, 2009 by wwftravel
© Roger Leguen / WWF-Canon
The leatherback turtle is the largest marine turtle and one of the largest living reptiles. One of the most migratory of all marine turtle species, it makes both trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific crossings. It is easily distinguished by its carapace, which is leathery rather than hard as in other turtles, and by its long front flippers.
The leatherback has a unique system of getting blood supply to its bones and cartilage. The system enables the turtle’s body temperature to stay several degrees above water temperature, so
it can tolerate cold water like a mammal.
Leatherbacks can dive to depths of almost 4,000 feet, much deeper than any other marine turtle.
Habitat: Open water and coastal habitats
Diet: Jellyfish and other aquatic plants and animals
Threats: Habitat destruction, entanglement in fishing gear, hunting and egg collection, climate change and pollution
Interesting Fact: The biggest leatherback turtle ever recorded was a male, stranded on a Welsh beach, that reached 100 feet long and weighed 2,000 pounds.
Look for leatherback turtles on a voyage with WWF:
• Snorkeling the Raja Ampat Archipelago aboard the KM Bidadari, October 12-25, 2010.
• Snorkeling Thailand and the Mergui Archipelago aboard the Mermaid I, April 15-28, 2011.
Reprinted from the July/August issue of FOCUS.