Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea

The Leatherback Sea Turtle is considered an endangered species throughout its worldwide range.

The Leatherback turtle is the largest of all living sea turtles. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. It is the only extant member of the family Dermochelyidae. Instead of teeth the Leatherback turtle has points on its upper lip. It also has backwards spines in its throat to help it swallow food. Leatherback turtles can dive to depths as great as 4200 feet.

Distribution: The Leatherback Turtle is a species with a global range. The Leatherback is found in all tropical and subtropical oceans, and its range has been known to extend well into the Arctic Circle. They are a rare visitor to the Texas Coast.
Size: The Leatherback is the largest of all sea turtles, with weights of 1,300 lbs. and a carapace length of up to 8 feet. Research on captive turtles indicates that Leatherbacks grow faster than any other marine turtle.
Habitat: Leatherback turtles can be found primarily in the open ocean. The turtles prefer deep water but are most often seen within sight of land. Feeding grounds have been determined to be closer to land, in waters barely offshore.
Diet: Adult Leatherbacks subsist on a diet almost entirely composed of jellyfish. Due to its obligate feeding nature, it has been hypothesized that leatherback turtles play a role in the control of jellyfish populations. Leatherbacks are also known to feed on other soft-bodied marine organisms such as tunicates and cephalopods. The highest concentrations of these turtles are often found in areas where deep water comes to the surface and where ocean currents converge.