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Leatherback Sea Turtles

The critically endangered leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all turtles. They live in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as South China Sea.

121 Questions

How do leatherback?

Leatherback sea turtles are unique among turtles due to their large size and soft, leathery shell instead of a hard carapace. They primarily feed on jellyfish, using their specialized jaw and throat structures to swallow their prey whole. These turtles are known for their long migrations, traveling thousands of miles between feeding and nesting grounds. Despite their vast range, leatherbacks face threats from plastic pollution, climate change, and fishing gear entanglement.

How many jellyfish do leatherback sea turtles eat a day?

Leatherback sea turtles can consume a significant amount of jellyfish daily, typically ranging from 50 to 100 jellyfish, depending on their size and availability. Some studies suggest that they may eat up to 73% of their body weight in jellyfish each day. This diet primarily consists of various jellyfish species, which are crucial for their nutrition. The exact number can vary based on factors like the turtle's size, age, and environmental conditions.

How do leatherback sea turtles breath?

Leatherback sea turtles breathe air through lungs, similar to mammals. They surface to inhale oxygen, typically taking a breath every few minutes while swimming, though they can hold their breath for up to 85 minutes when diving. Their ability to manage oxygen efficiently allows them to dive deep and for extended periods while foraging for jellyfish and other prey.

What is the leatherback turtles carrying capacity?

The carrying capacity of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) varies by region and is influenced by factors such as food availability, nesting sites, and environmental conditions. Estimates suggest that specific populations can range widely, but overall, the carrying capacity is limited by the availability of jellyfish, their primary food source. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting nesting beaches and reducing bycatch are crucial for maintaining and potentially increasing their populations. Accurate assessments of carrying capacity require ongoing research and monitoring.

How does global warming affect the leatherback sea turtle?

Global warming poses significant threats to leatherback sea turtles, primarily through rising ocean temperatures and increased beach erosion. Warmer waters can disrupt their feeding patterns and reproductive success, while rising sea levels and more intense storms threaten their nesting habitats. Additionally, shifting ocean currents can alter the distribution of jellyfish, their main food source, further impacting their survival. Consequently, these changes can lead to decreased population numbers and increased vulnerability of the species.

Why do people hunt leatherback turtles?

People hunt leatherback turtles primarily for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures, and for their eggs, which are also consumed. Additionally, their shells and skin can be used for various products. However, hunting is largely driven by illegal poaching due to the turtles' vulnerable status and declining populations, exacerbated by habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts are in place to protect these endangered creatures and their habitats.

How long can leatherback turtle breathe underwater?

Leatherback turtles can hold their breath underwater for about 20 to 30 minutes on average while diving. However, they are capable of extending this time to up to 60 minutes or more when necessary, depending on their activity and the depth of the dive. These adaptations help them forage for jellyfish and other prey in the ocean.

How long a leatherback seaturtle is pregnant for?

Leatherback sea turtles have a gestation period of about 60 to 70 days. After this period, females typically lay their eggs on sandy beaches, where they can lay between 70 to 100 eggs per clutch. The exact timing can vary based on environmental factors and the specific nesting site.

What is a male leatherback turtle?

A male leatherback turtle is a member of the leatherback species, known for its large size and distinctive leathery shell, which lacks the hard, bony carapace found in other turtle species. These turtles can weigh between 550 and 2,000 pounds and are the largest of all sea turtles. Unlike females, male leatherbacks do not return to land after hatching; they spend their entire lives in the ocean, primarily feeding on jellyfish. Males play a critical role in the species' reproductive cycle, mating with females during breeding seasons.

How long does it take for a leatherback to choke on a plastic bag?

The time it takes for a leatherback sea turtle to choke on a plastic bag can vary, but ingestion can lead to immediate distress and potentially fatal consequences. Leatherbacks often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their primary food source. Once ingested, the plastic can cause blockages in the digestive system, leading to death within days or weeks if not removed. Therefore, the timeline for choking and subsequent health decline can be very short, depending on the size and type of plastic ingested.

When do the leatherback eggs hatch?

Leatherback sea turtle eggs typically hatch about 60 to 70 days after being laid, although this can vary depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. Hatching usually occurs during the warmer months, with peak activity often observed from late summer to early fall. The hatchlings emerge at night, which helps them avoid predators and reduces the risk of overheating.

Write a hypothesis to explain why the female leatherback digs two holes?

One hypothesis for why the female leatherback digs two holes could be that one hole is for depositing the eggs, while the other hole is a decoy to confuse predators and protect the nest. This behavior may help increase the chances of the nest remaining undetected and the eggs surviving until hatching.

What are leatherback sea turtle's enemis?

Type your answer here... Sharks, Killer whales, but mostly man. Man can run them over by speeding boats, or have the turtle eat trash we leave behind. It is very sad.

How much does a Leatherback Sea Turtle eat?

Because leatherbacks primarily eat jellyfish. They have two sharply pointed cusps, one on the upper and one on the lower jaw that allows them to pierce jellies and other soft-bodied organisms.

How do leatherback sea turtles survive?

twisting, turning and splashing at water surface helps confuse predators

Are leatherback sea turtles in danger?

As a matter of fact, the conservation status of the leatherback sea turtle is Critically Endangered. They are threatened by pollution (both floating trash and chemical pollution), as well as accidentally being caught in fishing nets. That is one reason that it's best to buy line-caught fish.

AnswerYes!

The leatherback turtle species is so old, seeing one i like seeing a dinosaur. Their species is endangered. They are getting poached for eggs. Also with littering, plastic bags are going into the ocean and leatherback turtles are mistaking it for jellyfish. They swallow, choke, and their population is decreasing fast!

What kindom is the leather back sea turtle in?

The leatherback sea turtle is a sea turtle, which is classified as a reptile.

What is the leatherback turtle favorite food?

Blood worms...if u want them to be healthy then use Reptomin

HOW do leatherback turtles eat jellyfish?

Good question. Do they defend themselves by thick shells, or are they simply immune to their toxins? I would guess that they are immune, since I don't think that turtles have scales in their esophagus.

Why is the leatherback tortoise becoming extinct?

Leatherback sea turtles are not extinct, but they are critically endangered. They are often caught in commercial nets. There are safety devices in many of these nets to allow sea turtles to escape, but leatherbacks are so huge, that the adults often cannot fit through the escape (known as a turtle excluder device).

Another problem is that they sometimes ingest garbage that resembles other foods. This can cause a fatal blockage.

What does a leatherback look like?

The leatherback insect is a type of grasshopper that eats grass. It has a long slender body and long hind legs.