  Leatherback
Turtles are the largest living marine reptiles and live almost their entire lives at sea.
The only time that they are on land is when the female turtles lay eggs, and when
hatchlings emerge from the nest and make their way to ocean. Leatherback Turtles are one
of the most migratory of all marine turtle species, making trans-Atlantic and
trans-Pacific crossings. They are easily distinguished by their carapace, which is
leathery (not hard as in other turtles) and by their long front flippers. The Leatherback
turtle has a unique system of blood supply to bones and cartilage. This enables their body
temperature to stay several degrees above the water temperature and allows them to
tolerate cold water. They can dive to depths of up to 1,200m much deeper than any other
marine turtle.
Name: Dermochelys coriacea
Status: Listed as Critically Endangered (facing an extremely high risk of
extinction in the wild in the immediate future) by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. In South Africa, Leatherback Turtles are
fully protected under the KwaZulu Natal Nature Conservation Management Act No 9 of 1997.
Diet Description: Jellyfish.
Habitat: Primarily found in the open ocean, as far north as Alaska and as far
south as the southern tip of Africa.
Size: The leatherback can reach up to 180 cm, and 500 kg in weight
Distribution: Most widely distributed of all sea turtles. Found world wide with
the largest north and south range of all the sea turtle species. Leatherback Turtles are
present throughout the Indian Ocean and are not uncommon in the pelagic zone around South
Africa. They tend to stay away from the nearshore zone and are capable of tolerating
extremely cold water during feeding movements. Leatherback Turtles are known to frequent
the cold southern ocean as far as 600 km south of Cape Agulhas and are often recorded in
the Benguela Current area of the West Coast.
Reproduction: Females come ashore in
bands and lay their 60 to 100 eggs in holes that have been dug in the sand. Seven weeks
later, when the eggs hatch, the babies rush back to the water. |
St Lucia Wetlands Park: The Greater St Lucia Wetlands
Park supports the country’s largest population of hippos. An eco-tourism
wonderland of beautiful lakes, swamps, forests and marshlands surrounding the estuary of
Lake St Lucia. This area was declared as one of South Africa’s first ... 
