How big is the biggest leatherback turtle?

How big is the biggest leatherback turtle?

10 feet
Size: 4 to 6 feet (130 – 183 cm). The largest leatherback ever recorded was almost 10 feet (305 cm) from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail and weighed in at 2,019 pounds (916 kg). Weight: 660 to 1,100 pounds (300 – 500 kg).

Is the leatherback turtle dangerous?

The turtles are usually fairly gentle giants, but can deliver a bone shattering bite if disturbed, and are extremely strong and powerful. In one bizarre case, a huge leatherback, likely weighing over 1500 pounds turned its aggression toward a small boat and charged it.

How tall do leatherback turtles get?

The largest of all sea turtles, and one of the largest reptiles on earth, the leatherback turtle ranges in size from 4-8 feet in length (1.2 – 2.4 meters) and weighs between 500-2,000 pounds (225 – 900 kg). The average adult measures in between 5-6 feet (1.5 – 1.8 m) and weighs 600-800 pounds (270 – 360 kg).

Is the leatherback sea turtle the biggest?

Facts. Leatherback turtles are named for their shell, which is leather-like rather than hard, like other turtles. They are the largest sea turtle species and also one of the most migratory, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

How big does a leatherback sea turtle get?

Leatherback turtle consuming a jellyfish off Cape Cod. (NMFS Permit #1557-03). Weighing in at between 550 and 2,000 pounds with lengths of up to six feet, the leatherback is a big turtle! Leatherback sea turtles can be distinguished from other species of sea turtle by its lack of a hard shell or scales.

Where can I find leatherback turtles in the world?

WWF turtle coordinator observes a leatherback turtle in Playa Chiriqui, Panama. WWF works with local communities to reduce turtle consumption of leatherback turtles and eggs. Our efforts help create awareness of the threats leatherbacks face and communicate the importance of protecting them.

How did the leatherback turtle get its name?

Leatherback turtles are the only turtle species in the world that does not have a hard shell and scales. 4. Leatherback turtles are named for their tough skin that resembles rubbery leather. 5. Leatherback turtles have not changed in millions of years and have existed in their current form since the time of the dinosaurs. 6.

How long does it take for a leatherback turtle to hatch?

The eggs will incubate approximately two months before leatherback hatchlings emerge from the nest and enter the water together to begin their journey toward adulthood. Leatherback turtles are known to travel incredibly long distances during their lifetimes.

How much does the largest leatherback turtle weigh?

There are seven species of sea turtle and some are much larger than others. The largest sea turtle is the leatherback. It grows up to 7 feet (2 meters) long and weighs up to 2,000 lbs. (900 kilograms). The largest leatherback ever found was 8.5 feet (2.6 m) long and weighed 2,020 lbs.

What is the largest recorded leatherback turtle?

The largest leatherback turtle ever recorded is a male found dead on the beach at Harlech , Gwynedd , on 23 September 1988. It measured 2.91 m (9 ft 5½ in) in total length over the carapace, 2.77 m (9 ft) across the front flippers and weighed 961.1 kg (2,120 lb).

What is the population of leatherback turtles?

The Pacific population of leatherback sea turtles has suffered most over the last twenty years: as few as 2,300 adult females now remain, making the Pacific leatherback the world’s most endangered marine turtle population.

What eats leatherback sea turtles?

There are many leatherback sea turtle predators out in the wild but they largely prey on hatchlings and juvenile leatherbacks. Thus, some of these predators include: Ghost crabs. In water, however, adult leatherbacks have much bigger and dangerous predators like great white shark, orcas and tiger sharks.