In this article you’ll find out what leatherback sea turtles look like, where they live and what they eat. It does not have scales like other turtles, with the only exception being the hatchlings, but rather a thin layer of rugged, rubbery skin composed of reinforcing bone plates. Leatherback turtles are vulnerable turtle species listed in the red list of the International Union of Conservation of Nature. The U.S. federal government has listed the leatherback as endangered worldwide. Community Organization Leatherback sea turtles are among the most highly migratory animals on earth, traveling as many as 10,000 miles or more each year between foraging grounds in search of jellyfish. In fact, about 50 percent of leatherback nesting occurs in Palm Beach County. Their huge flippers grow … Its exoskeleton, called carapace, is flexible and elongated, marked with seven ridges that run down the length of the shell. There are seven species of sea turtles. General Information Description Location/habitats Additional photos/videos Fun facts References Fun Facts! In honor of this special time on our beautiful island, we’ve compiled a list of Loggerhead sea turtle facts worth knowing. Main factors that decrease number of sea turtles are: poaching, loss of nesting or feeding areas, accidental catch (called bycatch), ocean pollution and weather changes (global warming). They are a giant amongst most other modern reptiles, the only ones bigger are three of the … Leatherback sea turtles are a highly migratory species. In comparison, Michael Phelps swimming speed has been capped at about 6 miles per hour. Leatherback sea turtles are named for their rubbery shell and are the largest sea turtles. Fun Facts About Leatherback Turtles. Many sea turtles can hold their breath for over 30 minutes. Weight: 250 – 700 kg (Adult) Scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea. Yes, sea turtles can drown as they have lungs just like other reptiles and similar to our own lungs. Leatherback sea turtle. Sea turtles are ancient ocean dwellers that have lived on the earth for 150 million years, since before the time of the dinosaurs. The leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea is a very unique species and a beautiful one as well. FACT 14. The surface of the leatherback’s The leatherback is the largest sea turtle species in the world. Home Help the Sea turtles! The leatherback turtle can swim at speeds up to 22 miles per hour! Leatherback Sea Turtle Facts. Unique amongst other turtles, these species have leather type back. Six of them (the hawksbill, green, flatback, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and olive ridley turtles) have shells made up of hard scutes, while the aptly-named leatherback turtle is in the Family Dermochelyidae and has a leathery carapace made up of connective tissue. Or, the first few years of hatchlings are called 'lost years' for a good reason. The earliest known turtle species dates back to the Jurassic Period— they coexisted with dinosaurs! Leatherback Sea Turtles embark on the longest known migration of any other sea turtle in the world. The giant leatherback turtle is the only sea turtle with a softshell back. Sea turtles are endangered species. Leatherback sea turtles are the biggest turtles on Earth. The largest sea turtle species is the leatherback turtle. Read on for interesting facts about leatherback sea turtles. Jun 26, 2014 - The giant leatherback sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, is the biggest turtle species still in the world. The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), sometimes called the lute turtle or leathery turtle or simply the luth, is the largest of all living turtles and is the fourth-heaviest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. Living in Florida offers the unique experience to learn firsthand about sea turtles, after all our state is home to 5 unique species. The Smallest Turtle – Chersobius signatus is the smallest turtle in the world. One of the interesting sea turtle facts for kids is that sea turtles migrates for very long distances which can be around 1400 miles between the beaches they live and the feeding ground. Sea Turtle Migration facts. Leatherback turtle facts for kids: learn about these top turtles, with facts about the leatherback's habitat, lifecycle, diet, adaptations and threats. It is said to be very common for leatherback female turtles to stay in the same region when nesting unlike other species of sea turtles which opt to change nesting beaches often. Scientific Name: Dermochelys Coriacea Size: About 6 feet (1.8 meters) front to back. Leatherback nesting in Florida … ... 200 Fun Facts That’ll Actually Make Your Life Better. Sea turtles are group of reptiles that can be found in all oceans of the world except in the polar area. Sea turtles mate at sea, then come ashore on beaches to lay their eggs. Individuals have attained a shell length of 6 feet and weights of 1,400 pounds. Length: 1.8 – … This page contains leatherback sea turtle facts for kids (and adults! FACT 13. Mature leatherbacks reach about 1.2 to 1.9 meters (3.9-6.2 feet) and 200 to 506 kilograms (441 to 1,116 pounds). Sea turtles don't need a supply of fresh water. We have compiled the top ten fascinating facts worth knowing about these ancient sea-farers. Sea turtles can stay underwater for … 1.2K likes. For more videos about wildlife please subscribe :) Royalty free content brought from pond5.com and/or bigstockphoto.com However, a stressed sea turtle, such as one entangled in a ghost net for example, will deplete oxygen stores rapidly and may drown within minutes if unable to reach the surface. The average adult measures in between 5-6 feet (1.5 - 1.8 m) and weighs 600-800 pounds (270 - 360 kg). Sea turtles are reptile which means they have scaly skin, lays eggs and breathe air. Unlike other species of sea turtles, which have hard shells, the leatherback's shell is leathery; it feels almost rubbery. When it's time to lay their eggs, female sea turtles return to the same nesting grounds where they were born: 4. ), and is part of both our Endangered Animals series and our Sea Turtles series. Adults can weigh between 700 and 2,000 pounds and reach 4 to 8 feet in length. The shell is black, often speckled with white or yellow spots. Unlike other species of sea turtle, the leatherback does not have scales. Sea turtles cannot breathe underwater, however they can hold their breath for long periods of time. The largest of all sea turtles, and one of the largest reptiles on earth, the leatherback turtle ranges in size from 4-8 feet in length (1.2 - 2.4 meters) and weighs between 500-2,000 pounds (225 - 900 kg). The largest living turtle, the leatherback sea turtle, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Sea turtles, sometimes called marine turtles, are reptiles of the order Testudines. Leatherback Sea Turtle Facts. Sea Turtle & Leatherback Fun Facts . The following fun facts for kids about Florida’s sea turtles are sure to get your child even more excited about this fascinating species. Today I want to write about leatherback turtles because they have a very unique shell.