Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

T

exas Status

Endangered

Endangered, Listed 6/02/1970

The Leatherback is the largest of all sea turtles, with weights of 1,300 lbs. and a carapace length of up to 8 feet. This turtle is unique because of the smooth leathery skin covering its carapace. Their head cannot retract into its shell. It is also different from most other turtles in that it can keep its body warmer than its surroundings, thanks partly to the thick layer of insulating fat beneath its skin. This allows it to wander much more widely than other turtles, reaching as far north as Iceland and almost as far south as Cape Horn.

The leatherback’s throat contains dozens of backward-pointing spines that prevent jellyfish from escaping before they are completely swallowed. These endangered turtles often die after eating discarded plastic bags, which they mistake for jellyfish.

Life History

The leatherback is one of the largest living reptiles, surpassed in size only by some species of crocodiles. Adults can be distinguished from all other species of sea turtles by their large size, spindle-shaped bodies, and leathery, unscaled carapaces. Research on captive turtles indicates that leatherbacks grow faster than any other marine turtle. Leatherbacks feed mainly on pelagic (open ocean) soft-bodied invertebrates such as jellyfish and tunicates. Their diet may also include squid, fish, crustaceans, algae, and floating seaweed. Highest concentrations of these prey animals are often found in areas where deep water comes to the surface (upwelling areas) and where ocean currents converge.
These giant turtles live at least 30 years and up to 50 years or more. Adults are believed to reach sexual maturity between 3 and 4 years of age, although the age at which wild turtles reach maturity may be greater. Unlike most sea turtles, which nest in the spring and summer, leatherbacks usually nest in fall and winter. They arrive at the nesting beaches in large groups, forming "arribazones", where groups of females move onto the beach to lay their eggs over a period of a few days. The eggs incubate in the sand for 50 to 78 days. The incubation period is longer when the weather is cool. Hatchlings emerge from the nest mostly at night, race quickly to the surf and swim hurriedly toward the open ocean. Predation is high during the first two years of life. The eggs are eaten by raccoons, skunks, opossums, mongooses, coatis, and dogs. Hatchlings are preyed upon by mammals, sea birds, crabs, and carnivorous fishes. Predation continues until the turtles are big enough to avoid being swallowed. Sharks are a formidable predator throughout the life-cycle of the leatherback.

Habitat

Distribution

In Texas, the leatherback sea turtle occurs in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a rare visitor to the Texas Gulf Coast.

Other

The leatherback sea turtle is considered an endangered species throughout its worldwide range. It is listed in Appendix 1 of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), a list of the most highly endangered animals worldwide. In the majority of countries, this turtle is fully protected by law, however, enforcement of this protection is difficult in many areas. Indiscriminate poaching of eggs and capture of adults at sea or in nesting areas is still widespread. Although captive breeding has been attempted, it has been largely unsuccessful.