Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
- Category
Ecology and Environment
- Published
27th Apr, 2024
-
Context
The proposed development of transshipment terminal at Galathia bay has threatened the nesting ground of leatherback turtle.
About
- It is the largest of all living turtles and the heaviest non-crocodilian reptile, reaching lengths of up to 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in) and weights of 500 kilograms.
- They are one of the most migratory turtles, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
- They swim over 10,000 miles a year to reach their nesting grounds.
- They routinely dive to depths of several hundred meters, and are occasionally known to plunge as deep as 1250 meters.
- They feed mainly on pelagic (open ocean) soft-bodied invertebrates such as jellyfish and tunicates.
- Their diet may also include squid, fish, crustaceans, algae, and floating seaweed.
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable