Dermochelys coriacea

Leatherback Turtle

1.5–2.2 meter
45–100 år (uppskattat)
Sårbar
Om

Leatherback Turtle

The leatherback is the largest, deepest diving, and most wide-ranging sea turtle — a true ocean giant that can weigh over 900 kg and dive to depths exceeding 1,200 metres. Unlike all other sea turtles, its shell is covered by a tough, rubbery skin rather than hard scutes, giving it a distinctive hydrodynamic profile. Leatherbacks undertake epic transoceanic migrations, crossing entire ocean basins to feed on jellyfish in productive temperate waters and returning to tropical beaches to nest.

Storlek

1.5–2.2 meter (sköldlängd)

Vikt

250–900 kg

Livslängd

45–100 år (uppskattat)

Status

Sårbar

Var du hittar dem

Bästa dykplatser

Trinidad & Tobago (nesting)Costa Rica (pacific Nesting)Kei Islands, IndonesienNova Scotia, Canada (foraging)Monterey Bay, Kalifornien

Dyktips

Leatherback encounters while diving are exceptionally rare due to their pelagic lifestyle. Most sightings occur from boats during pelagic trips or at nesting beaches. If you encounter one while diving, maintain distance and avoid touching — their thin skin is easily damaged. Nesting beach visits should only be done with certified guides.

Bästa säsong

Nesting: March–August (Atlantic), October–February (Pacific). Open-ocean encounters are opportunistic.

Livsmiljö

Open ocean worldwide, from tropical to subarctic waters. Nests on tropical sandy beaches. The most pelagic of all sea turtles.

Föda

Almost exclusively jellyfish and other soft-bodied gelatinous organisms
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Roliga fakta

1

Leatherbacks can dive to over 1,200 metres — deeper than many whale species

2

They can maintain a body temperature up to 18°C above the surrounding water through gigantothermy

3

A single leatherback can consume over 200 kg of jellyfish per day

4

They have existed in their current form for over 100 million years — older than most dinosaur species

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