A leatherback sea turtle resting on a sandy nesting beach — Photo: Julien Renoult · CC BY 4.0

Reptile

Leatherback Sea Turtle Facts

Dermochelys coriacea

ReptileAtlantic, Pacific, and Indian OceansCarnivore

Leatherbacks are the world's largest turtles and the only sea turtles without a hard, scaly shell. Their flexible ridged carapace and long flippers support migrations across entire ocean basins.

Habitat: Marine
Diet: Jellyfish, salps, and other soft-bodied ocean animals
Lifespan: Estimated 45–50 years or more

Leatherback Sea Turtle Facts at a Glance

Leatherbacks are the world's largest turtles and the only sea turtles without a hard, scaly shell. Their flexible ridged carapace and long flippers support migrations across entire ocean basins.

It belongs to the family Dermochelyidae in the order Testudines. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; the source names below document the review basis.

Leatherback Sea Turtle Habitat

Leatherback Sea Turtles live in Marine and Coastal habitats. Their recorded range includes Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young help shape that range.

What Do Leatherback Sea Turtles Eat?

Leatherback Sea Turtles have a carnivore diet that includes Jellyfish, salps, and other soft-bodied ocean animals. The food available in their environment shapes how they find, hunt, forage for, or receive meals.

Leatherback Sea Turtle Lifespan, Size, and Weight

Leatherback Sea Turtles typically live for Estimated 45–50 years or more. Adults measure about 152–183 cm and weigh around 340–454 kg; these ranges can vary with sex, age, environment, and access to food.

Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Status

Leatherback Sea Turtle is listed here as Vulnerable. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.