Reptiles · Testudines · Dermochelyidae
Dermochelys coriacea
At high risk of extinction in the wild over the medium term.
It is the largest sea turtle in the world and has existed in its present form for over 100 million years. Unlike every other sea turtle it has no hard bony shell, but a covering of fatty tissue reinforced with osteoderms.
Weight
250 kg – 900 kg
Size
1.2 m – 2.4 m
Life expectancy
40 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Activity
Irregular activity
Active at irregular times, by day or night depending on circumstances.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
AI-generated images: illustrations, not photographs.
Sources consulted: The Canadian Encyclopedia · Britannica · Upwell · IFAW · NOAA Fisheries · FWC · Texas Parks & Wildlife · Government of Canada
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 16 of 24.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Leatherback Sea Turtle — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
The leatherback sea turtle is classified as vulnerable. Organisations such as the IUCN, WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programmes is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
It's documented in 10 protected areas — one reason why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Based on what we already know about leatherback sea turtle.
The pins mark the parks and dive sites where its presence is documented.
