Leatherback Turtle

In 1988 a 9 foot long monster washed upon the shores of Harlech, Wales. The reptilian monster had been entangled in fishing nets which kept it from reaching surface and it eventually drowned. It weighed in at about 2,000 pounds and was predicted to have been at least 100 years old. The creature was the largest and oldest Leatherback turtle ever recorded (Turtles).

The Leatherback turtle is a carnivorous reptile that spends most of its life in the water. Their lifespan is guessed to be 30-45 but there have been recordings of turtle way over that age so most biologists say that the lifespan is unknown. This amazing creature is able to dive up to 4,200 feet which is deeper than any other turtle and they can stay under water for up to 85 minutes. The Leatherbacks evolutionary origin goes back 100 million years which means that they were able to survive the extinction of the dinosaurs. There has also been the discovery of two different types of the Leatherback; the Pacific Leatherback turtle and the Atlantic Leatherback turtle. The difference in the two is that the Pacific breed is known to be smaller than the Atlantic (Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea)).

Leatherbacks enjoy eating soft-bodied prey. Their favorite animal to eat is the jellyfish. Leatherbacks are able to eat gummy prey because of their pointed cusps and razor sharp jaws. Their mouths and throats have spines that point backwards which help keep hold of their tacky prey (Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea)). The Leatherback will eat so many jellyfish that they will eat up to twice their body weight per day.

These monstrous turtles can grow to be 7 feet long which is as long as or longer than a person. They can also grow to weigh 2,000 pounds; hence, the Le...

... middle of paper ...

...hing lines. This organization has also established marine protected areas, or MPA’s. These areas give turtles a place to live their daily lives without worry. One such area is specifically in the Coral Triangle to help preserve the biggest nesting place in the Pacific. Harmless satellite trackers have also been placed on a select few turtles to watch where they go and try to prevent them from falling victim to fish nets (Sea Turtle-Leatherback Turtle).

Works Cited

Fisheries, N. (2013, March 4). Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea). Retrieved October 25, 2013, from nmfs.noaa.gov.

Fund, W. W. (2013). worldwildlife.org. Retrieved October 25, 2013, from Leatherback Turtle.

Society, N. G. (2013). Leatherback Sea Turtle. Retrieved October 25, 2013, from Nationalgeographic.com.

Turtles, S. (2013). seeturtles.com. Retrieved October 25, 2013, from Leatherback Turtle.