Behler, J.L., P.C.H. It’s the first time the federally-protected sea turtle was spotted by surveyors. The largest leatherback ever recorded was al-most 10 feet (305 cm) from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail and weighed in at 2,019 pounds (916 kg). Today, our ocean’s sea turtles are facing more threats to their existence than ever before. But these modern-day turtles pale in comparison to ancient sea turtles. Unlike all other sea turtles, these giants do not possess a carapace (shell) covered with hard scales, also known as scutes. Lutz, P.L., and J.A. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Recovery plan for leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the U.S. Caribbean, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington, D.C. National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. HABITAT: The leatherback is the most pelagic [open ocean dwelling] of the sea turtles. Leatherback nesting beaches are distributed circumglobally. The largest of all sea turtles and the fourth heaviest reptilian species in the world, the leatherback sea turtle can weigh up … They are the largest sea turtle in the ocean: growing up to seven feet in length and weighing more than 2,000 pounds. National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. DESCRIPTION: The leatherback is the largest, deepest diving, and most migratory and wide ranging of all sea turtles. Leatherback sea turtles have small lungs for their body size and because of this, there is a reduced carrying capacity for oxygen (Eckert, Scott). Jacksonville, Florida 32256 The leatherback sea turtle is the most unique of all sea turtle species. Our ocean faces many threats like the onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification. Diet: Leatherbacks have delicate, scissor-like jaws. It migrates through both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, to feed on jellyfish where they're abundant. POPULATION SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION . (916 kg), according to National Geographic.The smallest sea turtle is the Kemp's Ridley turtle. We’re dedicated to working with indigenous communities, legislators, scientists and people like you to advocate for science-based solutions to protect this fragile ecosystem. U.S. Take the pledge today: promise to actively “E.V.O.L.V.E.” to help our oceans’ turtles! The Leatherback Sea Turtle, also known as the lute turtle or the leathery turtle, is the largest sea turtle and the most migratory. Fax: (703) 358-2115. Their size isn’t their only distinguishing trait. Fish and Wildlife Service The largest sea turtle is the leatherback. Msg & data rates may apply. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. Adults weigh between 660 to 1,100 pounds (300-500 kg). On Vieques beaches managed by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 14 to 145 nests were recorded annually between 1991 and 2005, while the number of nests recorded on Vieques Island beaches managed by the U.S. Their carapace h… During nesting season, female leatherbacks return to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. 2012. They have carapace lengths of about 51 to 75 cm (20 to 30 in.) CRITICAL HABITAT: 50 CFR 17.95 U.S. Virgin Islands - A strip of land 0.2 miles wide (from mean high tide inland) at Sandy Point Beach on the western end of the island of St. Croix beginning at the southwest cape to the south and running 1.2 miles northwest and then northeast along the western and northern shoreline, and from the southwest cape 0.7 miles east along the southern shoreline. 50 CFR 226.207 U.S. Virgin Islands - The waters adjacent to Sandy Point, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, up to and inclusive of the waters from the hundred fathom curve shoreward to the level of mean high tide with boundaries at 17° 42' 12" N. and 64° 50' 00" W. 50 CFR 226.207 California - (i) The area bounded by Point Sur (36° 18' 22" N./ 121° 54' 9" W.) then north along the shoreline following the line of extreme low water to Point Arena, California (38° 57' 14" N./ 123° 44' 26" W.) then west to 38° 57' 14" N./ 123° 56' 44" W. then south along the 200 meter isobath to 36° 18' 46" N./ 122° 4' 43" W. then east to the point of origin at Point Sur, and (ii) Nearshore area from Point Arena, California, to Point Arguello, California (34° 34' 33" N./ 120° 38' 41" W.), exclusive of Area 1 and offshore to a line connecting 38° 57' 14" N./ 124° 18' 36" W. and 34° 34' 32" N./121° 39' 51" W along the 3000 meter isobath. 50 CFR 226.207 Oregon/Washington - The area bounded by Cape Blanco, Oregon (42° 50' 4" N./ 124° 33' 44" W.) north along the shoreline following the line of extreme low water to Cape Flattery, Washington (48° 23' 10" N./ 124° 43' 32" W.) then north to the U.S./Canada boundary at 48° 29' 38" N./ 124° 43' 32" W. then west and south along the line of the U.S. Colour Eckert, K.L., B.P. If you’re, like me and can’t get enough of the leatherback sea turtle, be sure to check out our Wildlife Fact Sheets to learn even more about this large, loveable marine reptile. ). 2003. Rhodin, A.G.J. Other sea turtle species are smaller, being mostly 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) long and proportionally narrower. Leatherbacks get their name from their smooth, bluish-black leathery skin. Division of International Conservation Sea turtles normally possess chewing plates that allow them to chew solid prey item. Little is known about their behavior in the wild. The largest leatherback ever found was 8.5 feet (2.6 m) long and weighed 2,020 lbs. Musick, and J. Wyneken (eds. Reader Favorites From All Turtles! Terms and Conditions. The Galápagos tortoise grows up to 6 feet (183 cm) long and 573 lbs. and was designated in January 2012. The smallest are about the size of dinner plates, while the largest, the leatherbacks, can reach sizes similar to a golf cart. 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