Leatherback turtle: description, habitat, lifestyle, interesting facts

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2018-03-18 16:55:49

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The Leatherback turtle, or lute – a unique creature. Not only is it the largest and most difficult representative squad, but also has several other distinctive features. This species is the only one in the family, so very different from other modern turtles, because during the Triassic it evolved on a separate evolutionary path.

Our article will talk about how to live the amazing leatherback turtles in their natural environment, so bring researchers, why need protection.

External features

Tom, who saw pond turtles, comparable in size to a soccer ball, it is difficult to imagine that on our planet there are giants. The weight of the leatherbacks, according to some sources, can exceed a ton. This is comparable with the weight of a saltwater crocodile, polar bear or Kodiak. However, the official record belongs to the male with a weight of 960 kg. on average, the majority of turtles coming to the mass in the 400-700 kg.

big leatherback turtle

Body Length can exceed 2 meters, and the wingspan of the fins while the average is 1.5 m.

The Main difference from other is the presence of a dense shell, which consists of fused plates covered with a thick layer of connective tissue and skin. Unlike other turtles, the leatherback carapace has no connection with the skeleton (usually it is formed from ribs and vertebrae, and at the bottom of the bones of the sternum).

Leathery carapace (pseudolarix) has several advantages: it is lightweight, but protects the worse. Through this “lightweight kit”, Luty move beautifully and very fast.

Do Not confuse the Luty with the soft-shelled leatherback sea turtle superfamily. Far Eastern trioniks, for example, also has Horny plates on the back, but the structure of its carapace is the same as the other members of the squad. And the size is just a spineless tiny compared to the giants-Luty.

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Life expectancy

There is a perception that all turtles are long-lived. It should be noted that for some species this is true. But answering the question of how many lives leatherback turtle, biologists call a modest two-digit number. Presumably, Luty can live up to fifty years, but average life expectancy is thirty-five.

Where he lives sea giant

The habitat is quite wide. This animal is found only in the oceans and seas. Even the largest ponds located in inland, Lutov no. For example, the Caspian sea (which, in fact, is a huge lake), is not a place where leatherback turtles nest.

Habitat leatherback turtle

The map contains the habitat of these animals. As you can see, they are common in Equatorial and tropical waters, and even in the southern part of the North-the Arctic ocean.

In his element

‘Slow as a turtle!” – talk about a slow and clumsy people. On land, most turtles do behave quite impressively. Huge loot, wandering on the sand, too, seems just the sufferer, to whom every decimeter is given with great difficulty…

But it is worth it to get into mother ocean, things change dramatically. These turtles are hardy, strong, active. This is one of the fastest reptiles on the planet, they can swim at speeds up to 35 mph for a long time, reducing it.

leatherback turtle loot

Powerful swings of their huge fins are fascinating. By the way, it attracts divers to the many resorts where you can see these amazing giants.

Turtles are well oriented under water and can travel without rest impressive distance.

Fallacies

Being deprived of horns, claws and even studded armor, might seem sweet and harmless. But believe me, if you happen to look in the open mouth of the loot, you fundamentally change the opinion.

leatherback turtle on the beach

In appearance it is more like a cave, covered with stalactites. Teeth cover almost the entire inner surface of the oral cavity.

In addition, the jaws have incredible strength. The fishermen did not had the chance to see Luty claw the trunks of trees. The shells of mollusks and crustaceans chitin covers them too uneasy.

These animals are generally quite strong. Not being by nature aggressive, Luty quite able to fight back. If the turtle will understand that you can't just get away from the aggressor, she will enter a battle that is likely to win, biting and dealing crushing blows to the flippers.

Menu turtles

It is very fast moving and agile animals, but to compete in agility with fish and cuttlefish, they can not. So hunting loot chooses those who are inferior to him in speed.

leatherback turtle in water

In the diet of leatherbacks consists of sedentary sea cucumbers, jellyfish, cephalopods, crustaceans. Loot is not averse to eat and certain types of jellyfish. These creatures are not as nutritious as fish, so predators have long hunt to get more food. It is noteworthy that the venom of most jellyfish the giant turtles are harmless but very poisonous she tries to avoid.

Luty different kind of metabolism. They can do without food, without losing mobility and not hibernating. At the same time they are characterized by the tendency to overeat. Scientists really can't explain why the turtle in normal conditions and without the threat of the coming famine eats 5-7 times more food than she needs. Excess calories successfully digested, not affecting the behavior and health of the animal.

The Long road to the shore and back again

Issues associated with reproduction of the great turtle, has always aroused the interest of scientists. These animals breed once every few years. Mating occurs in the water, but when approaching the time of oviposition, the future mother makes a difficult journey.

Instinct drives the turtle to the shore. Huge animal out of the water, and it is a truly fascinating spectacle. Turtle on the shore is not as agile as in the ocean, because her limbs designed for swimming and not for walking. Moving away a certain distance from the ocean, the female begins to dig a well in the sand. Its average depth reaches a meter.

One gets laying two types of eggs: normal and small (unfertilized). After laying, the turtle carefully buried laying, tamping fins sand. Small eggs from this burst, freeing up additional space. The average clutch is about a hundred eggs.

leatherback turtle goes to sea

After the case, the mother returns to the ocean. But the process does not stop. In the breeding season the female usually does 4-7 clutches, digging for each individual well under the cover of night. The interval between clutches is about a week and a half.

Newborn giant

The Sand above the clutch mother tamp so that the eggs did not get predators. It is worth noting that the destruction of nests Luty – a rare phenomenon. It's amazing how sandy manages to overcome the barrier valuewise a couple of months kids! They dug out of the sand without the help of parents and start my first ever journey – the most important and the most dangerous.

baby turtle

According to the size and shape of eggs of leatherback turtles similar to a tennis ball. The baby was born, no more kitten. It's hard to imagine that little things can grow such a huge animal, like a lute.

But while turtles do not have powerful jaws and impressive size, and can become easy prey.

Natural enemies loot

Young hunted birds and small predators. But no wonder nature has put such a mechanism of reproduction in which two individuals born a hundred kids at a time. If cub wins the race and reaches the ocean, he has all the chances of a long life. At first, of course, have to hide and run away, but soon the threat of a Blowjob. Adult individuals are practically out of danger.

leatherback turtle in the sand

Such a big turtle does not attract marine predators. Moreover, it easily transfers descents to great depths (up to kilometers). Competitors in the natural environment of the loot just yet.

Status of the species and conservation efforts

The Greatest damage to the population at all times put the most bloodthirsty and dangerous enemy. He catches turtles for their fat and meat, it features...


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Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."

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