Leatherback Turtle - Sierra Club BC
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Leatherback Turtle

CAN BE FOUND IN:

Leatherback Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea 

Description

Leatherback turtles are the largest of all turtles! These reptiles can grow up to seven feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds. Leatherback turtles are unique in appearance because of their lack of a characteristic hard shell. Instead, Leatherbacks have a carapace or shell covered by oily flesh. They are tear-drop shaped and grey on top with a light underbelly. 

RANGE & HABITAT

Leatherback turtles are found in temperate and tropical waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 

Reciprocal Relationships

Leatherback turtles play an important part of the marine ecosystem food chain. Their main diet consists of jellyfish, which can help control the population of jellyfish in oceans. Within the ocean, mature turtles' main predators are sharks. As hatchlings, they could be eaten by raccoons, birds, crabs, dogs, and fish.
 
These are an endangered species, but there are things we can do to help protect leatherback sea turtles. Reducing ocean trash and advocating for the protection of sea turtle habitat can significantly help this species. Many leatherback turtles can get stuck in plastic waste and pollution. If you happen to see one make sure you keep your distance and report the marine life to your nearest marine center, so that they can properly help this animal! 


Many Indigenous oral histories share some version of the story in which the Great Spirit orders animals to dive into the ocean and bring up clay. The great spirit uses the clay from the bottom of the ocean and forms land on the shell of a turtle. Many First Nations refer to North America as Turtle Island. Turtles are a popular feature in Indigenous art.  

STATUS

COSEWIC: Endangered 
CDC: Red 

MORE INFORMATION

Rantau Abang beach in Malaysia is home to over 10,000 Leatherback sea turtles! Leatherback sea turtles come from an evolutionary line that is 100-150 million years old.

If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca

Photo Credit

Canva

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