Leatherback Sea Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtle: Dermochelys coriacea

Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles on Earth, growing up to 7 feet long and can exceed 2,000 lbs. While other sea turtle have hard shells, the carapace of the leatherback sea turtle is flexible and rubbery to the touch. They are listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act.

These sea turtles can dive up to 4,200 feet and stay down for 85 minutes.

Credit to: USFWS Southeast Region

Fun Fact: The largest leatherback ever found was an 8.5 ft long male weighing 2,020 lbs that washed up on the west coast of Wales in 1988.

For more information about the content discussed in this article visit: National Geographic