By Josie June 6h, 2023
The Leather Back turtle is the world's heaviest reptile, but can nonetheless gracefully glide through the ocean’s depths.
These creatures are remarkable, reaching a maximum weight of almost 2,000 pounds and measuring up to seven feet long.
They also possess a unique rubbery shell that sets them apart from other turtle species.
Leatherbacks have a typical diet for a turtle and mainly feed on jellyfish, which can be found in abundance throughout their native habitats.
Thanks to their powerful jaws and tooth-like cusps they are able to capture and devour their slippery prey.
They have an impressive appetite, consuming an astonishing amount of jellyfish daily, often equal to their own body weight.
They can be found in both tropical and temperate oceans, spanning across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Leatherbacks migrate vast distances, often traveling thousands of miles between their nesting and foraging grounds.
They face multiple threats, including habitat degradation, accidental capture in fishing gear, and poaching for their meat, eggs, and shells.