Get to Know the Leatherback Sea Turtle By Laura McCrory

Introduction The Leatherback Turtle is a reptile that is listed as an endangered species The Leatherback Turtle is a reptile that is listed as an endangered species Once large in population it is now rapidly declining Once large in population it is now rapidly declining Known as the largest, deepest diving, most migratory of all sea turtles Known as the largest, deepest diving, most migratory of all sea turtles They can live to be on average 45 years old They can live to be on average 45 years old

Physical Features Can grow to be up to 7ft long and can weigh up to 2000lbs Can grow to be up to 7ft long and can weigh up to 2000lbs Carpace (shell) is leathery not hard like other turtles Carpace (shell) is leathery not hard like other turtles Long front flippers are clawless and black with pale spotting Long front flippers are clawless and black with pale spotting Their body systems keep body temperature above water temperature so they can tolerate cold water like a mammal Their body systems keep body temperature above water temperature so they can tolerate cold water like a mammal

Behaviors Leatherback Turtles can dive as deep as 4200 feet and stay down for up to 85 minutes Leatherback Turtles can dive as deep as 4200 feet and stay down for up to 85 minutes Mating occurs at sea and then the female nests on shore Mating occurs at sea and then the female nests on shore Nesting occurs from about March to July Nesting occurs from about March to July Females dig a hole in the sand and deposit up to 80 eggs Females dig a hole in the sand and deposit up to 80 eggs The hole is covered to camouflage it from predators The hole is covered to camouflage it from predators The female returns to sea and when eggs hatch the babies will find their way to sea The female returns to sea and when eggs hatch the babies will find their way to sea re=related re=related re=related re=related

Habitat Leatherbacks can be found in the tropic and temperate waters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Leatherbacks can be found in the tropic and temperate waters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Adults have been known to travel North to Canada and Norway or as far South as New Zealand and South America Adults have been known to travel North to Canada and Norway or as far South as New Zealand and South America They prefer open water and coastal habitats They prefer open water and coastal habitats Females require sandy beaches with vegetation and sloped so the crawl to dry sand is not far Females require sandy beaches with vegetation and sloped so the crawl to dry sand is not far Beaches are preferred to be close to deep water and rough seas Beaches are preferred to be close to deep water and rough seas Map of preferred habitat areas

Diet Leatherbacks forage through coastal and open ocean waters searching for food and taking it to large depths. Leatherbacks forage through coastal and open ocean waters searching for food and taking it to large depths. Jellyfish is main diet. Jellyfish is main diet. Occasionally they feed on sea urchins, squid, crustaceans, blue-green algae, and floating seaweed. Occasionally they feed on sea urchins, squid, crustaceans, blue-green algae, and floating seaweed.

Factors Contributing to Status Eggs are often taken by humans from nests to be consumed Eggs are often taken by humans from nests to be consumed Many leatherbacks fall victim to fishing lines and nets becoming part of fishery bycatch, or are struck by boats Many leatherbacks fall victim to fishing lines and nets becoming part of fishery bycatch, or are struck by boats Leatherbacks also can die if they ingest floating plastic debris mistaken for their favorite food: jellyfish. Some turtles have been found to have almost 11 pounds of plastic in their stomachs. Leatherbacks also can die if they ingest floating plastic debris mistaken for their favorite food: jellyfish. Some turtles have been found to have almost 11 pounds of plastic in their stomachs. Coastal development changes include beachfront lighting that may cause disorientation for hatchlings Coastal development changes include beachfront lighting that may cause disorientation for hatchlings Nesting habitats have been destroyed or altered from coastal development as well. Nesting habitats have been destroyed or altered from coastal development as well. Degradation of foraging habitat Degradation of foraging habitat A new threat is the current oil leak crisis in the Gulf of Mexico A new threat is the current oil leak crisis in the Gulf of Mexico N3tSk5k&feature=channel dying turtles in gulf of Mexico N3tSk5k&feature=channel dying turtles in gulf of Mexico N3tSk5k&feature=channel N3tSk5k&feature=channel

Efforts Made by Biologists Simple and inexpensive changes in fishing hook technology can reduce turtle mortality by as much as 90 percent, while not adversely affecting fishery catches. Simple and inexpensive changes in fishing hook technology can reduce turtle mortality by as much as 90 percent, while not adversely affecting fishery catches. International cooperation is needed to recover and stabilize nesting populations. The Fish and Wildlife Service has provided funding annually to assist recovery efforts by supporting for nesting surveys and nest protection. International cooperation is needed to recover and stabilize nesting populations. The Fish and Wildlife Service has provided funding annually to assist recovery efforts by supporting for nesting surveys and nest protection. Southeast United States and U.S. Caribbean have undergone major nest protection efforts and beach habitat protection Southeast United States and U.S. Caribbean have undergone major nest protection efforts and beach habitat protection Coastal counties and communities have developed lighting ordinances to reduce hatchling disorientations. Coastal counties and communities have developed lighting ordinances to reduce hatchling disorientations. ttp:// fic.pdf A complete recovery plan was developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and can be found at fic.pdf ttp:// fic.pdf fic.pdf

References eatherback+sea+turtle eatherback+sea+turtle eatherback+sea+turtle eatherback+sea+turtle eptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle.html eptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle.html eptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle.html eptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle.html e%20factsheets/leatherback-sea-turtle.htm e%20factsheets/leatherback-sea-turtle.htm e%20factsheets/leatherback-sea-turtle.htm e%20factsheets/leatherback-sea-turtle.htm facts/leatherback-turtle.html facts/leatherback-turtle.html facts/leatherback-turtle.html facts/leatherback-turtle.html ry/turtle_leatherback_pacific.pdf ry/turtle_leatherback_pacific.pdf ry/turtle_leatherback_pacific.pdf ry/turtle_leatherback_pacific.pdf