Largest Turtles: Where Do They Live?

Turtles are reptiles with bodies encased in bony shells. There are over 350 species of turtles, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. The largest living turtle species is the leatherback sea turtle, which can reach lengths of up to 7 feet and weigh more than 2,000 pounds. Leatherback turtles have a global range and can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. They are considered vulnerable, and some of their subpopulations are critically endangered. While the leatherback is the largest living turtle, it is not the largest turtle to have ever existed. That title may belong to Stupendemys geographicus, an extinct species that lived in South America around 8 million years ago and weighed an estimated 2,500 pounds.

The leatherback sea turtle is the largest living turtle species

The leatherback sea turtle has a global range and can be found in the tropical and temperate seas of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It is a pelagic species, often found in the open ocean. They have an extensive range, from as far north as Alaska and Norway to as far south as the southernmost tip of New Zealand and Cape Agulhas in Africa.

Leatherback turtles have several unique characteristics that set them apart from other sea turtles. One notable feature is their large size, with front flippers that can grow up to 2.7 metres in large specimens, the largest in proportion to their body among sea turtles. They also lack a bony carapace, instead having thick, leathery skin with embedded minuscule osteoderms. Seven distinct ridges run along the length of their back, giving them a ribbed appearance.

These turtles are also exceptional divers, capable of diving to depths of up to 1,280 metres, and are the fastest-moving non-avian reptiles, with recorded speeds of up to 35.28 kilometres per hour in water. Their blood contains unique adaptations that allow them to maintain a comfortable body temperature even in frigid waters, setting them apart from their reptile cousins.

Despite their impressive size and abilities, leatherback sea turtles are considered vulnerable, with some subpopulations being critically endangered. Human activities such as egg consumption, bycatch in fishing operations, and ingestion of plastic marine debris pose significant threats to their survival. Conservation efforts have been implemented worldwide to protect these magnificent creatures and ensure their survival for future generations.

The leatherback sea turtle has a global range

The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all living turtles, with a global range. It is also the heaviest non-crocodilian reptile, reaching lengths of up to 8 feet 10 inches and weighing up to 2,000 pounds. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys and family Dermochelyidae. Its evolutionary origins can be traced back more than 100 million years, making it the sole living member of its family.

Leatherback sea turtles have a cosmopolitan global range, reaching as far north as Alaska and Norway and as far south as the southernmost tip of New Zealand. They are found in all tropical and subtropical oceans, and their range extends well into the Arctic Circle. The leatherback sea turtle has the most extensive range of any other species of reptile. They can be found in the tropical and temperate seas of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.

The leatherback sea turtle's global range includes distinct subpopulations in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and western Pacific Oceans. While nesting beaches have been identified, leatherback populations in the Indian Ocean remain largely unassessed. Recent estimates suggest that there are between 26,000 and 43,000 nesting females annually, a significant decline from the 115,000 estimated in 1980.

The leatherback sea turtle's range extends to all continents except Antarctica, and they can be found in both salt water and fresh water. They are pelagic, inhabiting the open ocean and feeding in colder waters where their preferred prey, jellyfish, are abundant. This broad range sets them apart from other sea turtles, as they are not limited to warmer waters.

The leatherback sea turtle is vulnerable and some subpopulations are critically endangered

The leatherback sea turtle is the largest living turtle species and the heaviest non-crocodilian reptile. It can reach lengths of up to 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in) and weights of 500 kilograms (1,100 lb). While the leatherback sea turtle has a global range, the species as a whole is considered vulnerable, and some subpopulations are critically endangered.

Leatherback sea turtles have a soft, rubbery shell, unlike other turtles, which have hard, bony-plated shells. They are also the only living species in the genus Dermochelys and family Dermochelyidae. This makes them vulnerable to threats such as coastal habitat loss and commercial fishing. They get caught in shrimp nets and drown because they need to reach the surface to breathe. It is estimated that 11,000 marine turtles are caught in nets annually, many of which are leatherbacks.

Another significant threat to leatherback sea turtles is egg poaching. Females may lay more than 100 eggs in a nest, but many of these are eaten by predators, including humans, before they hatch. Overharvesting of eggs has led to the local extinction of leatherbacks in Malaysia. In addition, light pollution from artificial lights disorients female leatherbacks and hatchlings, causing them to crawl in the wrong direction and die of exhaustion and dehydration.

Plastic pollution is also a critical danger to leatherback sea turtles. They feed almost exclusively on jellyfish and cannot distinguish between jellyfish and clear plastic debris, such as plastic bags. Studies have found that nearly half of all leatherbacks examined had plastic or cellophane in their stomachs, which can lead to intestinal blockage and death.

The combination of these threats has resulted in a rapid decline in leatherback sea turtle populations. Conservation efforts, such as the use of Turtle Excluder Devices and protection of critical nesting habitats, are crucial to ensuring the survival of this vulnerable species.

The leatherback sea turtle is the heaviest non-crocodilian reptile

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys and family Dermochelyidae. It is easily distinguished from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by oily flesh and flexible, leather-like skin, giving it its name.

Leatherback turtles have a global range, although there are multiple distinct subpopulations. They can be found in the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. They have the widest distribution of any reptile species, and possibly of any vertebrate.

Leatherback turtles are unique among extant non-avian reptiles for their ability to maintain high body temperatures using metabolically generated heat, or endothermy. This is made possible by a combination of adaptations, including large body size, modifications to swimming activity and blood flow, and the development of a thick layer of insulating fat.

Leatherback turtles are also the deepest-diving marine animals, with individuals recorded diving to depths of up to 4,200 feet (1,280 metres). They are excellent swimmers, with a top speed of 21.92 mph (35.28 km/h), making them the fastest-moving non-avian reptiles.

Unfortunately, the leatherback sea turtle population is rapidly declining in many parts of the world. They are vulnerable to human activities such as egg consumption, fishing, and plastic pollution. Pacific leatherbacks, in particular, are the most endangered marine turtle subpopulation, with only an estimated 2,300 adult females remaining.

Despite their impressive size and adaptations, leatherback sea turtles face many threats to their survival. They are protected by various conservation laws and initiatives, but their future remains uncertain.

The leatherback sea turtle has a soft, leathery skin which covers osteoderms

The leatherback sea turtle is the largest turtle in the world, reaching lengths of up to 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in) and weighing up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb). It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys and family Dermochelyidae. Its scientific name, Dermochelys coriacea, translates to "Leathery Skin-turtle", aptly describing its most distinctive feature: a soft, leathery skin which covers osteoderms.

The leatherback's skin is a unique feature among turtles, or chelonians. Rather than a hard shell, the leatherback's carapace is covered by oily flesh and flexible, rubbery skin. Underneath this soft skin are osteoderms, which are made up of bone-like hydroxyapatite/collagen tissue. The osteoderms have jagged edges, referred to as teeth, and are connected by a special configuration of interpenetrating extremities called sutures. This design allows for significant flexing at the junction between adjacent osteoderms, enabling the body to contract as the turtle dives to depths of over 1,000 metres. The soft skin and suture geometry of the osteoderms provide the leatherback with a flexibility that hard-shelled turtles do not possess.

The osteoderms come in two types: flat and ridged. The ridged osteoderms have a bony ridge, while the flat osteoderms are found on both the carapace (the back of the animal) and the plastron (the belly region). The sutures between the osteoderms enable the carapace to be flexible, allowing for expansion during air intake and contraction during deep dives, thus enabling a larger lung capacity. The osteoderms are located underneath the skin and are connected to a vascular system, which supports the osteodermal tissue growth.

The leatherback's soft, leathery skin and osteoderms covered by it provide not only flexibility but also protection from predators. The assemblage of rigid osteoderms connected by flexible sutures in a zig-zag configuration offers a defence against teeth penetration. The interlocking and flexing capabilities of the sutures, along with the tensile strength of the osteoderms and the shear strength of the collagen fibre layer, provide both protection and manoeuvrability. Additionally, the collagenous interfaces act as crack arresters, preventing cracks from propagating from one osteoderm to another.

The leatherback sea turtle's soft, leathery skin covering its osteoderms is a unique feature that sets it apart from other turtles. This adaptation provides the largest turtle in the world with the flexibility and protection it needs to survive in its aquatic environment.

Frequently asked questions