Leatherback Sea Turtle: World's Largest Turtle

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19 December 2024

Here are 10 points about the leatherback sea turtle, the world's largest turtle

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 The leatherback can grow up to 7 feet in length and weigh over 2,000 pounds, making it the largest of all turtle species

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Unlike other turtles, it has a flexible, leathery shell instead of a hard, bony one, giving it its name

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Leatherbacks primarily feed on jellyfish, helping to control jellyfish populations in marine ecosystems

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They are found in oceans worldwide, ranging from the Arctic to the Antarctic, making them the most widely distributed sea turtle species

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Leatherbacks are known for their extensive migrations, traveling thousands of miles between nesting and feeding grounds

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Female leatherbacks return to the beaches where they were born to lay eggs, often traveling vast distances to do so

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They can survive in colder waters due to their thick layer of fat and unique blood circulation system

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Major threats include plastic pollution, as they often mistake plastic for jellyfish, along with fishing nets, habitat loss, and climate change

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While exact lifespans are uncertain, they are believed to live for about 45-50 years or longer

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The leatherback turtle is listed as vulnerable or critically endangered in different regions due to declining populations, prompting global conservation efforts

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 ndtv.com