Leatherback Turtle Analysis
Syed Ali
Biology 110 AAB
Professor Winicov
12th December 2014
Leatherback Turtle There are many animals on this earth that have survived for hundreds and thousands of years. Recently studies have shown that those animals are now on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are claimed as critically endangered. They are as we say becoming extinct. The Leatherback Turtle is one of those endangered animal species. Leatherback Turtles also known as “Dermochelys coriacea” is named after its shell. It is not hard like other turtles but made up of leather-like material. They are composed of thin, tough rubbery skin and strengthened by thousands of tiny bone plates. Its carapace does not have scales like other turtles. The carapace can be either black, dark grey, or black with white spots. It is the largest among the sea turtles as well as being one of the largest reptiles on Earth. This animal can grow up to 8 feet in length and weighs at a range anywhere from 500-1400 pounds. The world’s largest Leatherback Turtle ever recorded is known to be almost 10 feet, from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail and it weighed approximately 2,000 pounds. They can swim very fast graciously and have been clocked at amazing speeds of 22 miles per hour. According to sources, being that this is the oldest among all sea turtle species, it has been around Earth for over 150 million years. Now that we know the basic facts of Leatherback Turtles, I shall now discuss its habitat. Leatherback Turtles are very unique in that they are the only reptile known to remain mobile at such low temperatures. They can keep their body temperature warmer than the water surrounding them with their thick, oily, fat layer under their skin which makes them survive in water below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. They have this magnificent ability to turn off blood flow away from their cold flippers. They are primarily found in the oceans just offshore. Because this animal is very migratory, they can be found
Biology 110 AAB
Professor Winicov
12th December 2014
Leatherback Turtle There are many animals on this earth that have survived for hundreds and thousands of years. Recently studies have shown that those animals are now on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are claimed as critically endangered. They are as we say becoming extinct. The Leatherback Turtle is one of those endangered animal species. Leatherback Turtles also known as “Dermochelys coriacea” is named after its shell. It is not hard like other turtles but made up of leather-like material. They are composed of thin, tough rubbery skin and strengthened by thousands of tiny bone plates. Its carapace does not have scales like other turtles. The carapace can be either black, dark grey, or black with white spots. It is the largest among the sea turtles as well as being one of the largest reptiles on Earth. This animal can grow up to 8 feet in length and weighs at a range anywhere from 500-1400 pounds. The world’s largest Leatherback Turtle ever recorded is known to be almost 10 feet, from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail and it weighed approximately 2,000 pounds. They can swim very fast graciously and have been clocked at amazing speeds of 22 miles per hour. According to sources, being that this is the oldest among all sea turtle species, it has been around Earth for over 150 million years. Now that we know the basic facts of Leatherback Turtles, I shall now discuss its habitat. Leatherback Turtles are very unique in that they are the only reptile known to remain mobile at such low temperatures. They can keep their body temperature warmer than the water surrounding them with their thick, oily, fat layer under their skin which makes them survive in water below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. They have this magnificent ability to turn off blood flow away from their cold flippers. They are primarily found in the oceans just offshore. Because this animal is very migratory, they can be found
Bibliography: Henry, Leigh. "Leatherback Turtle." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. Nahill, Brad. "Leatherbacks." SEE Turtles. Oceanic Society, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. "Endangered: Leatherback Sea Turtle." AMNH. Sea Turtle Conservancy, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. "Endangered: Leatherback Sea Turtle." AMNH. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.