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You are here: Home / Info & advice / Reptiles and Amphibians / Leatherback Turtle

Leatherback Turtle

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Leatherback Turtle
Leatherback Turtle (Paul Mannix)

 

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

 

Although they don’t breed here in the UK, this large marine reptile can be spotted in our seas as they follow their favourite prey – jellyfish.  These beautiful animals are critically endangered for a number of reasons, and can tragically mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish.

Identification Adults up to 2 m in length and can weigh up to 600 Kg.  World’s largest turtle.  No obvious shell.  Bony plates set along distinct ridges down the back.  Dark in colour with white and pink spots. Females have a characteristic ‘pink spot’ on the top of their heads.  Large front flippers.
Distribution Considered native to the UK but do not breed here.  Recorded as far north as Alaska and as far south as the tip of South New Zealand. Follow the Gulf Stream feeding on jellyfish.  Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) and Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) turtles are also visitors to UK waters.
Ecology A strictly marine species. Males never leave the water once they enter. Strong and fast swimmers.  Undertake long journeys (some are known to cross the Atlantic).  Deepest-diving turtle.  Can reach depths of over 1 km.  Primarily feed on jellyfish.  Mating takes place in water and nesting occurs between February and August depending on location.  Females haul themselves on to beaches in the tropics to dig holes in the sand, in which they deposit 80-130 eggs.  Nest several times throughout breeding season.  Eggs incubate for 50 to 75 days.  Hatchlings emerge from sand and immediately head towards the sea.
Predators and other threats Many hatchlings are lost to predators.  Adults turtles are prey for very large marine predators such as orcas and some shark species.  They are classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. Primary threats include fishing, erosion of nesting beaches, pollution and litter (intake and  suffocation as a result of litter in the oceans), and predation by people such as egg harvesting and illegal trade.

 

Studies and Actions from Conservation Evidence

The information below is from the Conservation Evidence website.

Studies and Actions from Conservation Evidence in detail

Action Effectiveness Link Froglife Advice 
Use circle hooks instead of J-Hooks Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3559  
Relocate nests/ eggs to a hatchery: sea turtles Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3785  
Deploy fishing gear at different depths Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3547  
Relocate nests/ eggs for artificial incubation: sea turtles Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3795  
Offer reptile-related eco-tourism to improve behaviour towards reptiles Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3680  
Use a different bait type: sea turtles Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3612  
Relocate nests/ eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): sea turtles Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3781  
Patrol or monitor nesting beaches Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3541  
Use non-offset hooks Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3571  
Use education and/or awareness campaign to improve behaviour towards reptiles and reduce threats Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3682  
Protect habitat: sea turtles Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3662  
Manage vegetation by hand (selective weeding) Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3714  
Add lights to fishing gear Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3554  
Modify number of hooks between floats and longlines Awaiting assessment https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/3580  

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