Leatherback sea turtle

The leatherback sea turtle is the biggest turtle in the world. It’s a marine turtle. Since 1981, it has been an endanged species because we built hotels or attractions for tourists on beach where turtles lay. And we capture them to make oil and eat their meat.

The turtle is the biggest reptile in the world. It can weigh more than 900 kg. It has a specific shell. The soft-shell has lines and it is dark blue with white spots . When they are born, the baby turtles are really small (10 cm). When they reach their adult size they can be up to 2,50m long and 3,5m wide.

The leatherback sea turtle usually live between 30 or 40 years but some turtles can live up to 60 years.  It can go 900m deep and can stay under water for an hour.

We can find it in the tropical areas and on the beaches of America, Africa and Oceania.

Like all the turtles, the leatherback turtle hasn’t got any teeth. The turtle eats limp animals and some plants. But its favourite meal is jellyfish. It eats about 15kg of jellyfish per day .

photos : http://www.encyclo123.com/files/352237825_007109.jpg

http://www.arnaudcornu.com/Images/Tortue/tortue_luthld03.jpg

http://www.fournisseur-art-africain.com/426-1920-home/sticker-dessin-de-tortue.jpg

article written by Marion