A leatherback turtle or loot is a unique creature. She is not only the largest and heaviest representative of the detachment, but also has a number of other distinctive features. This species is the only one in the family, therefore it is very different from other modern turtles, because even during the Triassic, its development went along a separate evolutionary path.
Our article will tell you about how amazing leatherback turtles live in the natural environment, why researchers are so attracted to them, why they need protection.
External features
It is difficult for anyone who saw pond turtles comparable in size to a soccer ball to imagine that there are such giants on our planet. The weight of a leather turtle, according to some sources, may exceed a ton. This is comparable to the weight of a sea crocodile, a polar bear, or a codec. True, the official record belongs to a male with a weight of 960 kg. On average, most turtles grow to a mass of 400-700 kg.
The length of the body can exceed 2 meters, and the span of the fins with an average of 1.5 m.
The main difference between the species and the others 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 skin shell has no connection with the skeleton (usually it is formed from the ribs and processes of the vertebrae, and below it from the sternum bones).
Leathery shell (pseudocarapax) has several advantages: it is lightweight, but protects no worse. Thanks to this “lightweight body kit”, loots move very well and swim very quickly.
Do not confuse loot with the superfamily of soft-skinned leathery turtles. The Far Eastern Trionics, for example, also does not have horn plates on its back, but the structure of its carapace is the same as that of other representatives of the detachment. And the dimensions of the soft-bodied are simply tiny compared to the giant loots.
Life span
It is believed that all turtles are centenarians. It is worth noting that for some species this statement is true. But when asked how long a leatherback turtle lives, biologists call a modest double-digit number. Presumably, loots can live up to fifty years, but the average life expectancy reaches thirty-five.
Where does the marine giant live?
The habitat is wide enough. This animal is found only in the oceans and seas. Even in the largest bodies of water located deep in the continents, there are no loots. For example, the Caspian Sea (which, in fact, is a huge lake), is not a place where leatherback turtles live.
The map shows 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 Arctic Ocean.
In the native element
"Slow as a turtle!" - they talk about leisurely and awkward people. On land, most turtles really behave quite impressively. The huge loot, wandering in the sand, also seems to be just a sufferer, to whom every decimeter is given with great difficulty ...
But once he gets into his native ocean, as everything changes radically. These turtles are hardy, strong, active. This is one of the fastest reptiles on the planet, they can swim at speeds up to 35 km \ h, without long slowing it down.
The powerful swings of their huge fins are simply mesmerizing. By the way, this attracts divers to many resorts where you can see these amazing giants.
Turtles are perfectly oriented under water and can overcome impressive distances without rest.
Deceiving appearance
A creature devoid of horns, claws and even a spiked carapace may seem sweet and harmless. But, believe me, if you happen to look into the open mouth of a loot, you will radically change your mind.
It looks more like a cave overgrown with stalactites. The teeth cover almost the entire inner surface of the oral cavity.
In addition, the jaws themselves have incredible power. More than once, fishermen have seen how loots cut through tree trunks. Shells of mollusks and chitinous coverings of crustaceans also do not care for them.
These animals are generally quite strong. Not being naturally aggressive, loots are quite capable of fighting back. If the turtle realizes that it cannot just escape from the aggressor, it will enter the battle, which is likely to win by biting and delivering crushing blows with flippers.
Tortoise menu
These are mobile and agile animals, but they cannot be compared with fish and cuttlefish in agility. Therefore, hunting loot chooses those who are inferior to him in speed.
The diet of a leatherback turtle includes sedentary trepangs, ctenophores, cephalopods, crustaceans. Loot does not mind eating some types of jellyfish. These creatures are not as nutritious as fish, so the predator has to hunt for a long time to get as much food as possible. It is noteworthy that the poison of most jellyfish for a giant tortoise is harmless, but it tries to avoid especially poisonous ones.
Loot are distinguished by a peculiar metabolism. They can do without food for a long time without losing mobility and not hibernating. At the same time, they tend to overeat. Scientists cannot really explain why a turtle in normal conditions and without the threat of impending famine eats 5-7 times more food than it needs. Excess calories are successfully digested, without affecting the behavior and health of the animal.
Long road to the coast and back
Issues related to the reproduction of the largest turtles have always been of interest to scientists. These animals breed offspring once every few years. Mating takes place in water, but when the moment of laying eggs approaches, the expectant mother makes the most difficult journey.
Instinct drives the turtle ashore. A huge animal emerges from the water, and this is a truly bewitching sight. The turtle on the shore is not as agile as in the ocean, because its limbs are designed for swimming, and not for walking. Having departed a certain distance from the ocean, the female begins to dig a well in the sand. On average, its depth reaches a meter.
Two types of eggs fall into one clutch: ordinary and small (unfertilized) eggs. After laying off the turtle carefully bury the masonry, tamping the sand with flippers. Small eggs burst from this, freeing up additional space. On average, there are about a hundred eggs in a clutch.
Having done the work, the mother returns to the ocean. But the process does not stop there. In the breeding season, the female usually makes 4-7 clutches, digging a separate well for each under cover of night. The break between the clutches is about one and a half weeks.
Newborn giant
Mother rams the sand above the masonry so that predators do not reach the eggs. It is worth noting that the ruin of loot nests is a rather rare phenomenon. It is amazing how the kids who have hatched after a couple of months are able to overcome the sand barrier! They dig out of the sand without the help of their parents and begin their first journey in life - the most important and most dangerous.
The leather turtle's eggs are similar in size and shape to a tennis ball. The baby that was born is no more than a kitten. It is hard to imagine that such a huge animal as loot can grow out of this trifle.
But while the turtles do not have powerful jaws and impressive size, and therefore can become easy prey.
Natural Enemies of Loot
Birds and small predators prey on cubs. But it is not for nothing that nature has laid down such a breeding mechanism in which hundreds of babies appear at once from two individuals. If the cub wins the race and reaches the ocean, he has every chance of a long life. At first, of course, you have to hide and run away, but very soon the threat is blowjob. As for the adult, practically nothing threatens.
Such a large turtle does not attract marine predators. In addition, it easily transfers descents to a great depth (up to a kilometer). Loot simply has no competitors in the natural environment.
Species status and conservation measures
The greatest damage to the population at all times was done by the most bloodthirsty and dangerous enemy. It is he who catches turtles for the sake of fat and meat, he conquers the coast for his own pleasure, he pollutes the ocean with waste and throws out the trash that the turtles take for food and die ... Regrettably, the decline in the number of these underwater giants lies on the conscience of man. According to some reports, over the past century, the global population has declined by 97%.
Many countries have joined the United Nations Foundation-initiated global program. Protected areas are being created on the coasts where turtles could do masonry. Measures are being taken to clean up coastal areas, activists around the world are organizing campaigns to raise funds for environmental funds.
Industrial catch of these animals is strictly prohibited worldwide. The species is considered endangered.
Interesting Facts
A leatherback turtle is depicted on many of Fiji's state seals. For the inhabitants of this country, it is the personification of strength, endurance, phenomenal navigational talent.
Gourmet loot meat is of gastronomic interest, but is considered conditionally edible. If during the life of the turtle preferred poisonous jellyfish, deadly toxins accumulate in its meat.
This animal is one of the few who are not afraid even of sharks.