The Leatherback Sea Turtle is number 7 on the 10 most endangered animals in the world. Leatherbacks are the biggest turtles, there is getting as large at 7 feet long (2m) and weighing up to 2,000 lbs (900 kilograms). These wondrous reptiles date back more than 100 million years. Leatherbacks also have the widest world distribution of all reptiles. They can be found in tropical and temperate climates. They travel as far north as Canada and Norway and as far south as New Zealand and South America. Unlike other reptile relatives, Leatherbacks can adapt to drastically different temperatures a large body size, changes in swimming activity, blood flow and a thick layer of fat all assist with the element changes.
The lifespan of the Leatherbacks isn’t very long due to human activity. It is estimated that one in a thousand hatchlings make it to adulthood.
Dangers for Leatherbacks:
Eggs are taken by humans and consumed for subsistence and aphrodisiacs.
Many fall victim to fishing lines and nets.
Many are hit by boats
Leatherbacks can also die if they ingest plastic debris mistaken as their favorite food Jellyfish (some dead ones have been found to have 11 pounds (5 kilograms) of plastic in their stomachs.
Leatherbacks have completely disappeared from some Pacific regions such as Malaysia. Scientists around the world are tracking and studying Leatherbacks to learn more about these gentle giants and how they can be saved.
Newsflash as of yesterday Bulldozer crushes endangered baby turtles, eggs in Trinidad. Very sad
If anyone is interested in seeing some Leatherbacks inworld check out Costa Rica Sim Leatherback turtle nesting beach.

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