Leatherback Sea Turtle
Identification: It can reach almost 3 metres in length, usually up to 2 metres; and weigh up to more than 600 kg. It has seven (sometimes five) very prominent ridges along the upper shell, and four below. The shell is covered by thick leathery skin instead of horny plates and the ridges are sometimes notched. Skin black or dark brown above, usually with lighter, white to pink blotches, especially on head and neck. The underside is yellowish or pale reddish with black, white or pinkish spots. Upper jaw has two distinct tooth-like points at front. Flippers without nails.
Range: Atlantic ocean, from S-Spain to Norway, with many records from around the British Isles and particularly the area between the estuaries of the Loire and Gironde rivers in France. This is the most frequently recorded species and can be regarded as native to the waters around the British Isles.
Habitat: Usually living in very deep waters but comes inshore at times.
Habits: This species follows the Gulf Stream in pursuit of jellyfish. Regular summer visitor of the Atlantic off Europe and a strong swimmer regularly covering 30 km in a day and sometimes travelling 6000 km from its breeding beaches. Ability to maintain a body temperature up to 18°C above the surrounding water enables it to survive in the cool areas it regularly reaches. Feeds mainly on floating jellyfish and salps (relatives of sea squirts); other animals and floating vegetation are also sometimes eaten. May swallow floating plastic bags, which can resemble jellyfish in appearance, and these can block their gut and cause starvation. Nesting takes place on exposed tropical beaches on both sides of the Atlantic. Females lay 80-128 eggs, 5-6,5 cm in diameter, and produce up to 12 clutches a season; they usually reproduce every 1-4 years. The eggs hatch in 6-9 weeks producing babies 5-7 cm long. Males take 5-6 years to reach sexual maturity and females 13-14 years. Frequently dives to 60 m and sometimes to 1200 m.
How to find: Many records from around the British Isles and particularly the area between the estuaries of the Loire and Gironde rivers in France. This is the most frequently recorded species of sea turtle.