Godzilla

By Karey Burek

No, I am not talking about the creature that stomped through cities; I am actually referring to the Leatherback turtle. They are actually called the Godzilla’s of the turtle world because they are the largest of the sea turtles. They can actually reach lengths of up to 6 feet long and weigh close to 1,300 pounds.

A neat fact about the leatherback is that it can dive below 3,000 feet, which is almost unheard of in air breathing animals. Only the sperm whale and elephant seals have been known to dive as far down as the leatherback.

It is also amazing to discover that an animal so large dines almost solely on jellyfish! Their mouth is equipped to handle this venomous creature, having three-inch spines that point backward down its esophagus. In order to get enough protein to survive, a leatherback has to eat twice its weight in jellyfish. That is a lot of food!

This species of turtle is also known as the fastest of all the sea turtles. Its body is built for speed and it is the only sea turtle species that does not have claws on its front flippers.

Leatherbacks also do not have a hard shell. They have a soft rubbery or leather-like shell. This is where it gets its name. The shell also contains a lot of oil, to help with insulation and to keep them from getting the bends when they dive.

The oil has been harvested in the past for medicinal purposes and for boat sealants.

Although these turtles have been harvested for their oil, their species has never been in danger of being over-harvested. There are an estimated 70,000 to 115,000 breeding female leatherbacks.

They actually nest in Florida from April through July, but there have only been reports of between 38 and 188 leatherback nests annually in Florida. So if you see one, you are very lucky!