What is the largest sea turtle?
Quick answer
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest living species of sea turtle, and the largest living turtle of any kind. Adults usually measure 1.5–2 m (5–6.5 ft) long and weigh 300–640 kg (660–1,400 lb). Unlike other sea turtles, it has a flexible, leathery shell instead of hard plates.
The 7 species of sea turtle
| Species | Typical adult weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leatherback | 300–640 kg | Largest; leathery shell |
| Green | 110–190 kg | Named for the green color of its fat |
| Loggerhead | 80–200 kg | Big head and strong jaws |
| Flatback | 70–90 kg | Only nests in Australia |
| Hawksbill | 45–70 kg | Beautiful patterned shell; critically endangered |
| Olive ridley | 35–50 kg | Famous for mass nestings called arribadas |
| Kemp’s ridley | 35–45 kg | Smallest and among the rarest |
The heaviest leatherback ever recorded was a male found in Wales in 1988, weighing about 916 kg (2,020 lb).
Built for the deep
- Leatherbacks can dive deeper than 1,000 m, deeper than most marine mammals.
- They travel thousands of kilometers across oceans, from feeding areas to nesting beaches.
- Special fat and circulation keep their bodies warmer than the surrounding water, so they can feed in cold seas as far north as Canada and Norway.
A jellyfish diet
Leatherbacks eat mostly jellyfish, which are low in nutrients, so they need to eat huge amounts. Backward-pointing spines in their throats help them swallow slippery prey. Sadly, they can mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish.
Conservation
All seven species face threats, including:
- Getting caught in fishing nets
- Plastic pollution
- Loss of nesting beaches and artificial lights that confuse hatchlings
- Climate change: nest temperatures determine hatchling sex, so warmer sand produces more females
Read about another ocean giant, the largest shark, and why the ocean is important.
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