Endangered Species Guide : Reptiles : Animal Planet

Reptiles

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LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE (Dermochelys coriacea)

Weighing up to about 1,700 pounds, the leatherback sea turtle is by far the largest sea turtle. It is also the world's deepest diving, most migratory and wide-ranging of all sea turtles. The leatherback differs from other sea turtles in that it has a leathery shell and flippers without claws. It is known to travel great distances, with some tagged individuals spanning entire oceans. The leatherback sea turtle is threatened throughout its range by nest-site disturbance, fishing operations, pollution and egg collection.

Learn how to symbolically adopt this animal at WWF.

NEXT REPTILE: Siamese Crocodile »

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
USFWS Status: Endangered
Major Threat: Nest-site disturbance, fishing operations, pollution and egg collection
Habitat: Warm, open ocean
Location: Worldwide tropical oceans
Diet: Mainly jellyfish, small crustaceans and fish

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