![]() Instead, they’ve evolved to be suitable for a diet of soft-bodied animals. Unlike other sea turtles, leatherback jaws aren’t equipped for chewing or tearing. Their jaws and throat have evolved special adaptations that help them to efficiently attack and consume gelatinous prey. The main source of food for leatherback turtles is jellyfish. Their distribution is so wide that you could spot them in northern Alaska or as far south as New Zealand. ![]() They populate all three of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, demonstrating an impressive ability to adapt to different environments. The leatherback turtles that do make it to adulthood have a vast geographical footprint, spanning both tropical and mild waters all over the world. It’s estimated that as little as one in 1,000 hatchlings will survive until adulthood. Not all eggs in a nest will hatch, and of those that do, not all hatchlings will make it to the sea. The eggs are left to incubate under the warm sand for about 60-70 days. ![]() The final step in this process is incubation. Another unique trait of their reproductive cycle is that their fertility does not remain constant-each successive round of egg-laying within one season results in fewer eggs than the last. Despite spending most of their lives in water, leatherback turtles return to land for this part of their life cycle, and this homing instinct is a critical part of the leatherback’s reproduction.ĭuring nesting season, a female leatherback can nest between five and seven times, and each nest she creates becomes home to approximately 100 eggs. Their nesting process is an incredibly fascinating aspect of their reproductive behavior and involves female leatherbacks journeying back to the same beach where they were born. Once they have reached sexual maturity, female leatherbacks are ready to begin laying eggs. It takes between nine and 20 years before they are ready for procreation. The importance of this longevity is evidenced by the fact that sexual maturity among leatherbacks isn’t immediate. This longevity gives them an extended period of potential reproduction, which is crucial considering the various existential threats they face. This incredible size is accompanied by a long lifespan-leatherback turtles can live for up to 50 years in the wild. Leatherbacks can weigh up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds). They’re the largest living turtle species on Earth and can grow up to two meters (6.5 feet) long. While you might assume that this leaves them vulnerable in comparison to tougher-shelled turtles, their long evolution has had many adaptations to help with survival.Īnother notable physical characteristic of leatherbacks is their size. ![]() This is another unique trait separating them from other similar species. Having a softer shell allows leatherbacks to dive deeper and withstand pressure changes better than turtles with harder shells.Īs well as that, these turtles also lack scales entirely. It’s composed of cartilage-like tissues, and it’s not only different in terms of structure but also functionality. The leatherback shell isn’t just any ordinary covering. This unique feature is actually where leatherbacks get their name, as their skin resembles tough, leathery material. Unlike other species of turtle that have hard, bony carapaces, leatherbacks have a shell that is soft and flexible. One of their most notable characteristics is their shell. Leatherback turtles have a number of interesting physical attributes and are quite distinct from other sea turtle species. These turtles have a long history and have been a part of our planet’s rich biodiversity for about 100 million years. They are commonly referred to simply as leatherbacks. Leatherback turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea) belong to the reptile family Chelonioidea. ![]()
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