Fun Facts
True or False.
Leatherback Sea Turtles are heavier than a piano.
True. Leatherback Sea Turtles are heavier than a piano. They can weigh between 600 and 1,100 pounds.
The skin of a Leatherback Sea Turtle is described as...
A. Scaly
B. Rough
C. Leathery
C. Their skin is described as leathery...hence the name Leatherback Sea Turtles.
True or False.
Leatherback Sea turtles are internationally considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources?
True. Leatherback Sea Turtles are considered vulnerable internationally or endangered according to the US Federal Endangered Species Act.
The greatest threat(s) to Leatherback Sea Turtles is...
A. Global Warming
B. Pollution
C. Egg Collection and Fisheries By-catch
C. The greatest threats to Leatherback Sea Turtles are intense egg collection and fisheries by-catch. By-catch is the unwanted catching of marine animals during commercial fishing. These turtles are slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells.
True or False.
There are sea turtles larger than the Leatherback Sea Turtle.
False. Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest sea turtle.
On average, how many eggs does a Leatherback Sea Turtle nest?
A. 50 eggs
B. 80 eggs
C. 100 eggs
D. 110 eggs
C. On average, a Leatherback Sea Turtle lays about 110 eggs. 80 of these eggs are the size of a billiard ball and 30 are slightly smaller. They nest about 4-7 times per season with about 10 days in between. The eggs incubate for 65 days.
True or False.
Leatherback Sea Turtles are mostly found near the equator.
False. Leatherback Sea Turtles are found as far north as Alaska and as far south as the southern tip of Africa. These turtles are primarily found in the open ocean.
True or False.
Another large threat to Leatherback Sea Turtles is marine pollution.
True. Marine pollution is threatening Leatherback Sea Turtles because the turtles are mistaking balloons and plastic bags for jellyfish which is primarily what they eat.
How fast can Leatherback Sea Turtles move?
A. 0.5 - 1 mph
B. 1 - 1.5 mph
C. 2 - 3 mph
B. Leatherback Sea Turtles can move 1 - 1.5 mph.
What do Leatherback Sea Turtles eat?
A. Jellyfish and soft bodied animals
B. Sea grasses and algae
C. Crabs and mollusks
A. Leatherback Sea Turtles eat jellyfish and other soft bodied animals. These sea turtles have delicate, scissor like jaws which mean that their jaws would be damaged if they ate anything but a soft-bodied diet.
The population size of the Leatherback Sea Turtles is about...
A. 15,000-20,000 nesting females
B. 20,000-30,000 nesting females
C. 30,000-40,000 nesting females
B. There are about 20,000-30,000 nesting females and this number is rapidly decreasing.
What are ways that we can help the Leatherback Sea Turtles?
A. Use reusable water bottles and grocery bags.
B. Support actions that help Leatherback Sea Turtles.
C. Participate in coastal clean-ups if the opportunity arises.
D. All of the above.
D. Reducing plastic waste, supporting the saving actions being done for sea turtles, and participating in coastal clean-ups are ways that we can help save the Leatherback Sea Turtles.
A Leatherback Sea Turtle is normally 4-7 feet.
How long was the largest Leatherback Sea Turtle ever recorded?
A. 12 feet
B. 16 feet
C. 20 feet
A. The largest Leatherback Sea Turtle was 12 feet long.
How many ridges run along the backs of Leatherback Sea Turtles?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
B. Leatherback Sea Turtles have 7 ridges that run along their backs.
True or False.
The Leatherback Sea Turtle is known to be active in water below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
True. The Leatherback Sea Turtle is know to be active in water below 40 degrees Fahrenheit which is why they are the most widely distributed of all sea turtles.
What is the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) doing to reduce the by-catching of Leatherback Sea Turtles?
A. Changing the shape of the hook used in commercial fishing.
B. Reduce commercial fishing.
C. Changing the nets used in commercial fishing.
D. All of the above.
A. The WWF is trying to change the hook that commercial fisheries use to make them more turtle friendly. They have also run competitions to attract new ways to solve by-catch problems. They support the patrolling of Leatherback Sea Turtle's nests to help protect them from egg collection.