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Vulnerable
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Dermochelys coriacea
Also known as: Leatherback, Lute Turtle
The Leatherback is the largest sea turtle and the deepest diving reptile on Earth. Unlike other sea turtles, it has a leathery shell rather than a hard one. They can dive to incredible depths hunting jellyfish.
Max Size
7 feet (2.1 m)
Lifespan
45+ years
Depth
0-1,200 meters
Water Type
saltwater
Scientific Classification
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Testudines
- Family
- Dermochelyidae
- Species
- Dermochelys coriacea
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat
Open oceanDeep waters
Distribution
All oceans worldwide
Behavior
Leatherbacks are highly migratory, crossing entire ocean basins. They can regulate their body temperature, allowing them to swim in cold waters where other reptiles cannot survive.
Reproduction
Females nest on tropical beaches, often returning to the same beach where they hatched. They lay 80-100 eggs per nest, nesting multiple times per season.
Conservation Status
VulnerablePopulation trend: decreasing
Main Threats
- Plastic pollution
- Bycatch
- Egg collection
🎉 Fun Facts
- They can dive to 4,000 feet (1,200 meters)
- Leatherbacks can regulate their body temperature
- They eat up to 440 lbs of jellyfish daily
- They mistake plastic bags for jellyfish
- Leatherbacks have existed for 100 million years
