Leatherback Turtles
(Dermochelys coriacea)
The Leatherback Sea Turtle is a sea turtle found in every ocean throughout the globe. The leatherback Sea Turtle is the largest of all living turtles reaching lengths of up to 7 ft (2 m) and weighing up to 1300 lbs (600 kg). Leatherback Turtles are named after their shell, which is leather-like rather than hard, like other turtles. Their soft shell is black, sometimes speckled with white or yellow spots.
Leatherback Turtles are known to travel over 10,000 miles a year between nesting and foraging grounds. In order to survive the various temperatures during their travels. The Leatherback Turtles have evolved some unique adaptations that allow them to generate and retain body heat. One of these adaptations is a unique blood vessel structure called a countercurrent exchanger. Countercurrent exchanger allows the Leatherback to maintain a body temperature that is higher than the surrounding water even in extremely cold waters.
Many Leatherback Turtles die from intestinal blockage following the ingestion of balloons and plastic bags which resemble their favorite prey jellyfish. Coastal development has reduced the area where they can successfully nest, dogs and other animals often destroy their nests, and people harvest their eggs for food. Adult Leatherback Sea Turtles are often caught accidentally in fishing gear and involved in sea vessel strikes. Scientists have estimated that the global population of the Leatherback has declined 40% over the past three generations. For these and other reasons the IUCN has listed the Leatherback Sea Turtle as Vulnerable.
To more about the Leatherback Sea turtle and conservation efforts click the link below.