Leatherback Sea Turtles
Dermochelys coriacea
The
leatherback sea turtle is very different from other sea turtles having
seven hard longitudinal ridges along the length of its back instead
of scutes. Its rubber like covering is black with white spots and
a pinkish-white spot on the head. The average length of its shell
is five feet. The leatherback is listed as an endangered species.
Leatherbacks
are the largest reptiles in the world, with adults commonly exceeding
1,000 pounds. The largest leatherback was over 2,000 pounds. Their
geographic distribution is the most extensive of any reptile.
Leatherbacks typically occur at low densities in the open ocean and therefore
are difficult to study in the wild. There is little information on leatherbacks
in captivity because they abrade their skin by continuously colliding with
the walls of holding facilities. Most leatherback studies involve nesting females
that can be accessed on the beach. Nesting beaches for the leatherback in the
western Atlantic are Costa Rica, French Guinea, Panama, Surinam, Central/South
America, south Florida and many islands in the Caribbean, especially Trinidad.
Studies using satellite transmitters have shown the ability of these turtle
to cross entire ocean basins.
Prior to the late 1980’s, leatherbacks were rare visitors to South
Carolina coastal waters. Since that time, leatherbacks have become
a common visitor throughout state waters during spring. Leatherbacks
are frequently seen feeding on cannonball jellyfish that are abundant
at that time of year. A smaller secondary peak in abundance occurs
in the fall. This abundance has created a rare opportunity to observe
adult and immature, male and female leatherbacks in our nearshore waters.
The
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has been conducting aerial surveys
to document the distribution and abundance of leatherbacks for the past
10 years. During these flights, we have observed more than 1,000 leatherbacks.
We have also examined dead leatherbacks that strand along our coast. From
these animals we can document sex and reproductive status, food habits
and sometimes cause of death. These flights are restricted in number and
can’t be flown over all areas or at all times of the year. In order
to obtain more information on this endangered species we are requesting
sighting information from the boating public. If you see a leatherback,
please fill out our leatherback sighting
form.
For a more comprehensive review, please read the Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Sheet.