Welcome to the World of Leatherback turtle
Leatherback turtle
Dermochelys coriacea
Also known as: Leathery turtle
Average lifespan: 45–50 years (possibly longer)
Primary habitat: Open ocean and coastal waters
Geographic range: Tropical and temperate oceans worldwide
Overview
The leatherback turtle is the largest sea turtle in the world and one of the deepest-diving reptiles on Earth. Unlike other sea turtles, it lacks a hard shell and instead has a flexible, leathery carapace. Its long migrations connect oceans across the globe, making it a true marine traveler.
What It Looks Like
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Massive, elongated body
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Dark, leathery skin with white or pink spots
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Seven raised ridges running lengthwise along the back
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Powerful front flippers adapted for long-distance swimming
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No hard shell like other sea turtles
How It Behaves
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Mostly solitary
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Active day and night
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Migrates thousands of miles between feeding and nesting grounds
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Dives to extreme depths in search of food
What It Eats
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Jellyfish and gelatinous organisms
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Tunicates and soft-bodied invertebrates
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Carnivorous specialist feeder
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Helps control jellyfish populations
Life Cycle
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Nesting occurs on sandy beaches
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Females lay around 80–100 eggs per nest
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Eggs incubate for about two months
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Hatchlings instinctively crawl to the ocean after emerging
Survival Skills
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Ability to regulate body temperature in cold water
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Flexible shell reduces pressure during deep dives
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Strong flippers for endurance swimming
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Countershaded coloration for camouflage
Fast Facts
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Largest living sea turtle
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Can dive deeper than 4,000 feet
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Travels farther than any other turtle species
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Existed since the age of dinosaurs
Conservation
Leatherback turtles play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems by controlling jellyfish populations, helping keep marine food webs balanced. They are critically threatened by bycatch in fishing gear, plastic pollution mistaken for prey, coastal development that disrupts nesting beaches, egg harvesting, and climate change that affects hatchling survival. Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting sites, reducing bycatch, cutting plastic pollution, international trade bans, and global conservation programs aimed at preventing further population decline.