Sea Turtles: Leatherback

Sea Turtles Seven types of sea turtles: Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Olive Ridley Green, Hawksbill, Flatback Six of these species are on the redlist as either threatened or endangered Leatherback is the most critically endangered

Biology of the Leatherback Largest living turtle Averages seven feet Average weight is 1,300 pounds Can grow to 8.5 feet and 2,000 pounds

Ability to retain its body heat while swimming through deep waters Dives to depths of up to 3,000 feet during the night but active day and night Travel at a speed of 22 miles per hour Leatherbacks are the fastest, can dive deeper, and are bigger than any other turtle

Habitat Tropical Water Prefers deep water Shallow water on occasion Beaches for nesting

Global Range Tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Indian Ocean Extend as far from Newfoundland, British Isles through the Cape of Good Hope entering the Mediterranean Sea

Life Span and Behavior Leatherbacks can live as old as 30 years and up to 50 years or more Little is known about their behavior Sleep while floating on surface of the water Violent if captured Extremely vocal when in distress

Diets of the Leatherback Jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, and mollusks Snails, algae, sponges, and seaweed Adults feed independently unless feeding on a large number of jellyfish

Reproduction Lays eggs on a beach Nesting seasons (8-12 days) Nesting takes place when female simply chooses an undisturbed area

Large clutch size: 50-170 eggs Incubation period is 55-65 days Hatchlings are 2-3 inches in length and weigh approximately less than 1 pound

Threats to Sea Turtles Predators-sharks, raccoons, crabs, and humans Nesting areas disturbed- human activity and development Commercial fishing-entanglement -55 thousand sea turtles killed -increasing cause of mortality worldwide

Pollution-balloons, bottles, garbage/ plastic bags -Cannot distinguish between a plastic bag and a jelly fish (main component of diet) -Oil spills and fertilizers (disease now killing turtles is linked to pollution in oceans) Artificial lighting- lights from developments discourage females from nesting and hatchlings become disoriented, wandering inland dying of predation and hydration

Easy prey -poachers hunt for eggs, used in medicines, jewelry, food, and oil

Conservation Environmental organizations created to eliminate poachers Restriction of people at nesting areas Restrictions on lights near beaches

“Turtle Safe Lighting” (coated and compact florescent lamp under 13 watts) Turtle Excluder Devices (TED’s) –grid of bars with opening at top or bottom

Web Quest Leatherback turtles webquest