Leatherback Turtle

The leatherback turtle, channel, or leatherback leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest of all living turtles, reaching a length of 2 meters and weighing over 600 kilos. A male individual weighed 916 kilos, but the turtles of this size are rare. Is found in all tropical and subtropical seas and is the only species within the family Dermochelyidae.

This species has many unique features that distinguish largely on other sea turtles. Your metabolic rate is about 3 times higher than expected in a reptile of its size, which, together with its counter-current heat exchangers and large size, can maintain a body temperature of up to 18 ° C above the surrounding water. Some scientists even believe that the leatherback has some capacity to generate their own body heat, as a mammal, although losreptiles are ectotherms or "cold blood", so they depend on external temperatures to regulate their own. However, we also can consider this species as gigantoterma.

physical characteristics

The leatherback is the largest of all sea current and very different from the rest, both in appearance and in their physiology. It has a smooth shell and dark, with ridges that run through from head to tail. This shell is not formed by bony scutes, but is made of soft connective tissue (hence the name turtle leather is given at times). In the shell is not observed and the sharp edge bib side, just a gentle curve that gives a semi-cylindrical appearance to the animal. This way, vaguely reminiscent of the musical instrument, is what has given the name of leatherback turtles.

The front flippers of leatherbacks are much longer than in all other turtles, both raw and size proportionally. In adult individuals, the distance from tip to tip can be up to 270 centimeters.

The peak has developed a hook to help the leatherback turtle and jellyfish bite your throat is inward pointing barbs that help you swallow them.

Distribution and habitat

Leatherbacks live in almost all oceans of the world, venturing farther north or south than other sea turtles because of its peculiar system of regulating body temperature.

In the summer, leatherbacks are more common in the area from the Gulf of Maine Floridan north to south. Have been observed also in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Ocean Leatherback turtles Pacíficoson more often seen in the Hawaiian Islands, which are known to congregate in the north of the archipelago. When approaching elinvierno heading south, the Caribbean Sea and the coastal areas of South America and Africa, where the turtles are from Europe. In the latter, thanks to the Gulf Stream, they venture further north during the summer months, and have come to be seen sporadically off the coast of Norway and the Baltic Sea. The populations of East Asia migrate to the coasts of Indonesia and Australia and the Indian Ocean. Thanks to recapture, it is known that this species of turtle performs transoceanic migrations, such individuals tagged in Gabon, Africa, have been recaptured in south-western Atlantic Ocean.

The turtles prefer deep waters are grouped together more often when they arrive to the ground. In the summer are often seen basking near the surface, particularly in the estuary of Long Island, where they have been injured at times collide with the propellers of ships.

Threats and Conservation

In the U.S., the leatherback turtle has been classified as endangered throughout its distribution since 1970. You will be also included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This makes it illegal to injure or kill the turtles.

The adult leatherback turtles are large animals, not particularly vulnerable to predators.The eggs and hatchlings, however, are the most endangered of all. Birds, dogs and other predators have been seen digging opportunists nests and eating eggs. The young are also vulnerable in the way from the nest to the sea. Once you enter the water they become prey to many new predators and very few survive to adulthood.

Human activity threatens the leatherbacks in many ways. Believing them to be forgotten, the eggs are collected by people enPuerto Rico, the surrounding islands and probably elsewhere. The remodeling of the beaches can disrupt or destroy the particular type of habitat needed turtles nesting leather, and the lights of progress can cause the chicks away from the sea instead of going to him. Human use of beaches can destroy nests and eggs laid or buried too deep for the hatchlings to emerge. Finally, humans can harm nesting females out of curiosity.

While adults are at sea its greatest threat comes from humans altogether. The ingestion of plastics, rubber, tar, motor oil and other synthetic products can kill an adult leatherback or damage seriously. Many have been injured by collisions with boats, especially in shallow water. The equipment associated with commercial fishing, including wires, nets, ropes and cables can entangle and drown adult turtles. Although the "turtle excluder devices" are mandatory for networks often fail when it comes to allowing an animal the size of an adult leatherback turtle escape from them. NOAA estimates that about 640 adult leatherback turtles are killed each year by commercial fishing.

The networks are set deliberately to catch other species of sea turtles in some areas of Puerto Rico. Although not intended for leatherback turtles, some are occasionally caught.This practice is illegal, but is ongoing. In New Guinea, leatherbacks regularly hunted for food.
By: Hernandez Aguayo Nestor Giovanny