LEATHERBACK SEA

TURTLE
Victor Sarmiento
Period 1

HABITAT AND GEOGRAPHICAL

INFORMATION
They can be found in the tropic and temperate waters of the Atlantic,
Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
Leatherbacks are occasionally seen in Bonaires waters.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on Earth, growing up to seven feet
(two meters) long and exceeding 2,000 pounds
The leatherback is somewhat flexible and almost rubbery to the touch.
Ridges along the carapace help give it a more hydrodynamic structure.

REPRODUCTION
It is estimated that only about one in a thousand leatherback hatchlings
survive to adulthood.
Eggs are often taken by humans from nests to be consumed for
subsistence or as aphrodisiacs.
Leatherbacks take care of their young until the are big enough to swim
and find food for them self's.

REASONS FOR BEING

ENDANGERED
Many leatherbacks fall victim to fishing lines and nets, or are struck by
boats.
Leatherbacks also can die if they ingest floating plastic debris mistaken
for their favorite food
Some individuals have been found to have almost 11 pounds (5
kilograms) of plastic in their stomachs.
Not an exact number

WHAT DO THEY EAT/WHO EATS

THEM?
Jellyfish. Their only food source
As juveniles, green sea turtles are carnivorous, feeding on jellies and
other invertebrates. As adults they are strictly herbivores, feeding on sea
grasses, algae and other vegetation.
Raccoons, foxes, dogs, seabirds and ghost crabs prey upon turtle eggs.
Juveniles are eaten by seabirds, crabs and carnivorous fish. Adults may be
eaten by tiger sharks. Humans,

DO THEY MIGRATE?
Most sea turtles migrate between foraging and nesting grounds, and
seasonally to warmer waters. Often these migrations take them hundreds
and even thousands of miles.

2 AMAZING FACTS!!
Sea turtles are unable to pull their heads or appendages into their shells
Male sea turtles spend their entire lives at sea, but females return to the
same beaches they were born on, once every two years or so, to lay eggs.

VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn0ZDR5qPRo

WORK CITED
http://www.workingabroad.com/projects/grenada-sea-turtle-volunteer
http://
www.seeturtles.org/leatherback-turtles?gclid=COins7SGh8MCFRNp7Aod
WAMAiw
http://
www.conserveturtles.org/seaturtleinformation.php?page=leatherback