Adult leatherback sea turtles are also sometimes harvested as food, often caught accidentally in fishing gear, and can be involved in vessel strikes. Leatherback turtles are vulnerable turtle species listed in the red list of the International Union of Conservation of Nature. As a species, leatherbacks are generally thought of as pelagic (inhabiting the open waters beyond the coastal shelf), but they can also be found in waters closer to shore. Due to their flexible shells, these turtles can dive deeper than most whale species, and can dive down as far as 1 kilometer (2/3rds of a mile)! Find out about sea turtles' oldest known ancestor, how certain adaptations may have helped the reptiles survive, and the conservation efforts being made to save them. A mix of male and female hatchlings occurs when the nest temperature is approximately 85.1 degrees Fahrenheit, while higher temperatures produce females and cooler temperatures produce males. The Smallest Turtle – Chersobius signatus is the smallest turtle in the world. The leatherback sea turtle one of the largest living reptiles (the saltwater crocodile is generally considered the largest) and the largest species of sea turtles. They can grow to over six feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. https://www.thoughtco.com/leatherback-sea-turtle-facts-2291982 (accessed February 9, 2021). This turtle is considered to be the largest living sea turtle in the world, and can grow up to eight feet. Unfortunately, due to the nature of their eating habits, leatherbacks often fall afoul of ​marine debris such as plastic bags and balloons that find their way into the ocean that turtles and other marine animals mistake for prey. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Leatherbacks are the Deepest-Diving Turtle, Leatherbacks Feed on Jellyfish and Other Soft-Bodied Creatures. Dispose of litter responsibly, especially non-recyclable plastics. She serves as the executive director of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. All six sea turtle species found in U.S. waters are protected by the Endangered Species Act.They are the green, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley. Kennedy, Jennifer. You can find me worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans. Although turtles do not have teeth, this species has a well-defined projection on each side of the upper jaw. Read on for interesting facts about leatherback sea turtles. Interesting Facts: The leatherback is the most ancient species of living sea turtle, as well as the largest and heaviest turtle in the world. These extreme dives benefit the turtles in their search for prey and also help them avoid predators and escape excessive heat when swimming in warmer waters. Adult leatherbacks might be 8 feet (2.4 meters) long, 12 feet (3.6 meters) wide from front flipper tip to front flipper tip, and weigh about 1,600 pounds (725 kg). Do not release balloons for any reason. Leatherback sea turtles have some fascinating features/characteristics; the following are 23 cool and interesting facts about the sea turtle you will find fun too; 1. Seven different species of sea (or marine) turtles grace our ocean waters, from the shallow seagrass beds of the Indian Ocean, to the colorful reefs of the Coral Triangle, and even the sandy beaches of the Eastern Pacific. Kennedy, Jennifer. Scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea Family name: Chelonioidea Classification: Reptile IUCN status: Vulnerable Lifespan (in wild): Up to 50 years Weight: Up to 900kg Body length: Up to 2m Diet: Carnivore Habitat: Ocean Range: The world’s largest turtles, leatherbacks can grow to to around 2m long and weigh up to a massive 900kg – that’s heavier than 11 … The leatherback sea turtle one of the largest living reptiles (the saltwater crocodile is generally considered the largest) and the largest species of sea turtles. Reptiles are ectothermic (commonly referred to as "cold-blooded"), lay eggs, have scales (or did have them, at some point in their evolutionary history), breathe through lungs, and have a three or four-chambered heart. The Pacific population of leatherback sea turtles has suffered most over the last twenty years: as few as 2,300 adult females now remain, making the Pacific leatherback the world's most endangered marine turtle population. How Long I Live It’s a mystery! Sea turtles are animals in the Class Reptilia, meaning they are reptiles. This Live Science introduction to turtles includes details about their habitats, taxonomy, diet, offspring and other interesting facts.