Leatherback Sea Turtle: where and when to see them

The leatherback is the largest living turtle and the only surviving member of its family. Unlike other sea turtles, it has a flexible, leathery covering over a shell reinforced by small bones, with seven prominent lengthwise ridges. It is an oceanic reptile, not a land animal, although females come onto sandy beaches to nest. Global status conceals major differences among regional populations, several of which face much more severe conservation pressures.

Size

1.3–1.8 m curved carapace length

Weight

250–700 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Vulnerable

Leatherbacks travel enormous distances between nesting regions and feeding grounds, tracking patchy supplies of gelatinous prey. Their large bodies and heat-retaining adaptations allow them to forage in cooler waters than most sea turtles. Females usually nest at night, laying several clutches during a breeding season and then spending years away before returning. On beaches they are vulnerable to disturbance, while brief offshore surfacings can be difficult to detect from distant lookouts or decks. Leatherbacks are exceptional thermoregulators, capable of maintaining body temperatures significantly warmer than the surrounding cold ocean waters through physiological adaptations. Females usually dig a body pit before excavating a nest chamber and laying around 60 to 90 fertile eggs, often followed by smaller, infertile yolkless eggs.

• It is the sole living species in the family Dermochelyidae.
• Its shell lacks the large external scutes found on other living sea turtles.
• Countercurrent heat exchange helps conserve warmth in cooler water.
• Females commonly lay both normal yolked eggs and smaller yolkless eggs within a nest.

Florida's leatherback nesting activity is concentrated broadly from March through July, with timing varying by beach and year. Portugal has no dependable shore-viewing season for this species. Marine observations there are irregular, so pleasant coastal travel weather should not be presented as a turtle season. The peak nesting period in Florida typically falls between April and June, offering the highest chances for organized viewing experiences. Marine sightings off Portugal are infrequent and opportunistic, often associated with seasonal upwellings that concentrate their prey.

They range through tropical, temperate and sometimes cold ocean waters, using productive shelf areas as well as the open sea. Nesting requires accessible sandy beaches. Florida supports nesting, whereas Portuguese waters are principally a marine occurrence area, not a regular nesting destination. These ocean giants can dive to depths exceeding 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) for extended periods. Their broad distribution makes them the most widespread of all sea turtle species.

Leatherbacks specialize in gelatinous animals, particularly jellyfish and salps. Backward-pointing structures in the mouth and throat help retain slippery prey. Floating plastic can be swallowed by mistake, while discarded fishing gear creates additional risks during their extensive feeding movements. Their diet is almost exclusively soft-bodied invertebrates. Specialized kidney adaptations help them manage the high salt and water content of their gelatinous prey.

Common name

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Scientific name

Dermochelys coriacea

Animal group

Reptiles

Size

1.3–1.8 m curved carapace length

Weight

250–700 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Vulnerable

Identification

Its huge size, dark pale-spotted leathery carapace and seven longitudinal ridges distinguish it from sea turtles with hard, visibly plated shells. Beyond the unique carapace, adult leatherbacks can reach over 2 meters (7 feet) in length and weigh up to 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds), making them the largest living turtle. Their flippers are also proportionally longer and more paddle-like than those of other sea turtles.