Leatherback Turtle
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Leatherback Turtle
The leatherback turtle is the largest living turtle and ranks among the largest reptiles in the world. On record, the largest leatherback measured 96 inches and the larger leatherbacks may weigh in excess of 1,650 lbs. The leatherbacks are found in all the major oceans although their main nesting beaches are in tropical regions. Adult leatherback turtles will regularly migrate into colder waters. Here, in Costa Rica, nesting females can be found in small numbers on both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. Favorite nesting sites of the female leatherback are Playa Grande on the Pacific coast and the beaches in the Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge on the Caribbean coast.
The two distinguishing characteristics of the leatherback are its massive size and ridged, leathery shell. There are seven prominent longitudinal ridges on the shell, and five on the belly. These ridges become less distinct with age. There are two distinguishing characteristics between the sexes- the belly armor on the male is concave, but is flat on females. Also, the tails of the male are quite a bit longer than that of females. Their color is normally a uniform dark color such as, dark brown, slate gray, or blue-black. In some instances cream, yellow or pink can be present on the shell, head, and limbs.
The wide, open ocean is preferred by the leatherback turtle and although they nest in tropical waters, once nesting is complete, they wander long distances across the Caribbean/Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.
With its streamlined body and giant flippers, the leatherback is a powerful swimmer and can reach speeds in access of 18 mph. Not only an adept swimmer; the leatherback has unbelievable endurance. One leatherback was tagged, and in the course of 128 days traveled approximately 3,100 miles.
The leatherback turtles range farther north and south during their migrations than any other marine turtles. They will often travel great lengths in pursuit of their favorite prey, jellyfish. This will often take them into much colder waters, but leatherbacks are equipped with the innate ability to increase their body temperature. It is quite unusual to find reptiles able to generate body heat and the leatherback is the only turtle known to do this.
Leatherback turtles will feed on marine invertebrates such as crustaceans and sea anemones, but they mainly dine on jellyfish. They have been known to dive up to 900 ft. in pursuit of jellyfish. Many jellyfish use stingers and chemicals to ward off predators, but the leatherbacks are impervious to them. Unfortunately, what does effect the leatherback turtles are plastic bags that are mistaken for jelly fish and wind up in their stomach, often with lethal consequences.
All marine turtles mate in the open ocean and although females do not nest every year, when they do, they lay several egg clutches, at intervals of about 10 days. The nesting female will crawl to shore after dark, normally under the cover of a cloudy sky and a high tide and after excavating the nest chamber, lay between 50 and 170 eggs. After about 8 to 10 days, and normally on a dark night, hatchling turtles tunnel to the surface of the nest and make the journey from the beach to the surf.
Leatherback turtles are an endangered species and are threatened with extinction. They are hunted for their oils used in producing cosmetics but more so for their eggs, which many consider a delicacy. Many organizations in Costa Rica have gone to great lengths in order to protect the leatherback turtles (mostly in the form of volunteering), but for now they face an uncertain future.
