Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the largest sea turtle in the world! They have a unique soft shell and love to dive deep into the ocean.

Habitat: Open oceans

Appearance

The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the world's largest turtle, instantly recognizable by its unique leathery, ridged shell instead of a hard bony one. It has a dark, almost black body often speckled with white or pale spots. Its streamlined shape and huge front flippers are perfect for ocean travel.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyDermochelyidaeGenusDermochelys

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Interesting facts

Baby leatherbacks emerge from eggs about the size of a billiard ball!

Instead of a hard shell, they have a tough, leathery skin!

These ancient reptiles have roamed Earth for over 100 million years!

They travel thousands of miles across oceans to nest!

Special abilities

Leatherback Sea Turtles have a unique ability to regulate their body temperature, helping them survive in icy cold ocean waters.

Leatherback Sea Turtles have backward-pointing spines in their throats that help them swallow slippery jellyfish without escape.

Leatherback Sea Turtles can migrate thousands of kilometers because their large, powerful flippers provide incredible swimming endurance.

Measurements & details

Length: 180-220 cm
Weight: 250-700 kg
Lifespan: 30-50 years
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Swim Speed: 10 km/h
Clutch Size: 60-120
Incubation: 60-70 days
Max Depth: 1200 m

Diet & Feeding

These giant turtles mainly gobble up jellyfish and other soft-bodied ocean creatures!

Primary Foods

Jellyfish
Salps
Tunicates
Pyrosomes

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Purple-striped Jellyfish

Pelagia noctiluca

main food.

eaten by

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

preys on hatchlings.

eaten by

Atlantic Ghost Crab

Ocypode quadrata

eats eggs.

symbiotic with

Common Remora

Remora remora

gets a ride.

Traits

Filter Feeder

Discover amazing animals that filter their food right from the water! They have special ways to strain tiny bits of plants or other creatures to eat.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Armored

Find creatures protected by tough, hard coverings, almost like a natural shield! This armor helps keep them safe from harm in the wild.

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.