Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Leatherback Sea Turtle
Photograph by U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio. License: Public Domain. (view image details)

LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE FACTS

Description
The Leatherback Sea Turtle is endangered. Plastic bags in its ocean environment have contributed to many deaths as it mistakes them for jellyfish - its main food. It is a large turtle with streamlined leathery carapace (shell). The body is more pointed towards the year with seven ridges lengthwise along the back. The front flippers are very large. The body is dark grey or black.

Size
1.8m - 2.8m

Environment
lives in the ocean. The female comes ashore only to lay eggs

Food
jellyfish and other soft-bodied swimming invertebrates.

Breeding
lays about 80 eggs

Range
found in all the oceans of the world from the arctic in the north to New Zealand in the south. Leathery Sea Turtles nest in the tropics. There are limited breeding areas on eastern Queensland - the nearest major breeding area to Australia is in Malaysia.

Conservation Status
The conservation status in the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals is "critically endangered".

Classification

Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Dermochelyidae
Genus:	Dermochelys
Species:	coriacea
Common Name:	Leatherback Sea Turtle

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