Leatherback Sea Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Size: to 70" and 1200 lbs.

Habitat: oceanic

Notes: The largest sea turtle in the world, and also the most likely to be seen in our cold waters, since Leatherbacks are at least partially warm-blooded! As implied by the name, they have a leathery flexible covering, rather than the bony hard shell of all other sea turtles - a unique feature that has caused them to be placed in a family of their own, apart from all other sea turtles. Leatherbacks feed on jellyfish.

Leatherback Sea Turtle
This one appears to have a propeller wound on its side.
It looks like it has been dead for a while.
Herb Segars Photography

National Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Marine Fisheries Service ( NMFS )
NE Region
1 Blackburn Pl.
Gloucester MA 01930-2298

possession limits: 508-281-9260
federal permit applications: 508-281-9370
local NMFS law enforcement: 609-390-8303 or 908-528-3315
Tuna Quota updates: 301-713-1279

njdep
njdfgw
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife
CN 400
Trenton NJ 08625-0400

information: 609-292-2965
marine fisheries: 609-292-2083
shellfisheries: 609-984-5546
law enforcement: 609-292-9430
Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management CouncilAtlantic States Marine Fisheries Council ( ASMFC )
Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management Council

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