Leatherback+2010

By:Rozalyn Y.



Leatherback turtles have a large flattened, round body with two pairs of very big flippers and a short tail. Just like other sea turtles, the Leatherbacks forelimbs are adapted for swimming in the large, open ocean. They don’t have claws on either pairs of flippers. Leatherback’s flippers are the largest in proportion to its body among sea turtles. The Leatherback’s flippers are able to grow up to 9ft. Instead of teeth, the Leatherback has sharp points on its upper lip. It can grow up to 3.3 to 6.6 ft long and weigh up to 550 to 1,500 lb. Leatherback turtles can be found frequently in the open ocean. The turtles prefer deep water but are most often within sight of land because their feeding grounds are in near shore waters. Adult Leatherbacks feed almost entirely on jellyfish. Because it eats the jellyfish, they help control the jellyfish population. Mating takes place at sea. The males don’t leave the water, unlike the females who make their nests on land. After a male meets a female, the male uses head and flipper motions. The average clutch size is around 110 eggs, 85% successfully hatches. The female then disguises the nest from predators. The eggs will hatch in about 60 to 70 days. Then, the hatchlings dig o the surface and struggle to the sea. Humans around the world harvest the eggs of sea turtles. Pollution, both physical and chemical is fatal. Many Leatherback turtles die from malabsorption and intestinal blockage caused by the ingestion of balloons and plastic bags that resemble their jellyfish prey. A high level of chemical pollution have been found in the egg yolks. Some Caribbean started conservation programs that are for the ecotourism to show the Leatherbacks plight. Parismina has a sand bar which allows a huge number of females lay their eggs. A club called Parismina Social Club donates money from fundraisers to fund beach patrols. In Gabon, Central Africa, a national park was created to protect a very important beach for nesting. In Brazil, they use a program which works to protect Leatherback turtle’s nests and kills that were an accident by fishing boats.