Leatherback sea turtle

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest living turtle, distinguished by a flexible, ridged back without a hard shell and long oceanic migrations.

Dermochelyidae: Dermochelyidae is the turtle family represented today by the leatherback sea turtle. The leatherback is the sole living member of this otherwise extinct turtle family.
Endothermy in reptiles: Endothermy in reptiles is the maintenance of body temperatures above surrounding water through metabolic heat and heat-retaining adaptations. Leatherbacks remain active in colder waters than most other sea turtles.
Satellite telemetry: Satellite telemetry tracks animals by transmitting location data from attached electronic tags. Tags have revealed leatherback routes between nesting beaches and distant feeding grounds.
Leatherback sea turtle in the Atlantic Ocean: Atlantic leatherbacks form populations that migrate between nesting beaches and feeding areas across the ocean basin. Atlantic populations illustrate migrations spanning thousands of kilometers.
Turtle shell: A turtle shell is a bony structure formed from the ribs, vertebrae, and other bones, usually covered by keratinous plates. Unlike most turtles, the leatherback has a reduced bony shell beneath flexible, leathery skin.
Deep diving: Deep diving is the descent of an animal far below the water’s surface to forage, travel, or avoid threats. Leatherbacks dive deeply while searching for prey and navigating the water column.
Bycatch: Bycatch is the unintended capture of animals during fishing operations targeting other species. Fishing gear is a major source of injury and death for leatherbacks.
Leatherback sea turtle in the Pacific Ocean: Pacific leatherbacks include nesting populations in the eastern and western Pacific with distinct migration routes. Their sharp regional declines highlight threats to separate nesting populations.
Countercurrent exchange: Countercurrent exchange transfers heat or substances efficiently between fluids flowing in opposite directions. Blood-vessel arrangements help leatherbacks retain heat in cold water.
Magnetic navigation: Magnetic navigation is the use of Earth’s magnetic field as information for orientation or long-distance movement. It may help explain how leatherbacks navigate across vast ocean distances.

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