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Anatomy of the Leatherback Turtle | |||
| The large front flippers (usually at least half as long as its carapace) are used to swim forward. The Leatherback has never learned/developed the ability to swim backwards. This means the Leatherback sea turtle cannot back away when it encounters fishing nets and lines, and other debris, in the ocean. |  | ||
 | While many fishers are careful to release trapped Leatherbacks, some turtles drown before help arrives. The average speed is around 2.5 km/hour, but scientists have recorded speeds up to 9 km/hour. As with other reptiles the Leatherback breathes air. Normal it will not spend more than half an hour beneath the surface, but it is able to say under water for more than one hour. It can dive deeper than any other turtle with the record dive depth for a Leatherback on 1270m. | ||
| Leatherbacks have a pink patch on the top of the head. Each pink spot, like a human fingerprint, is unique. Scientists are not certain what function the pink spot has, though some think it might help the turtle sense light or determine where it is located in the ocean. | |||
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All about sea turtles | Sea Turtle
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All about sea turtles | Sea Turtle
Partner site: Collection of dog training books