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Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Photo by sianakdesa
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), sometimes called the lute turtle, is the largest of all living turtles (as well as the largest extant sea turtle) and is the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. Dermochelys coriacea is the only extant member of the family Dermochelyidae.

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Comments (3)

Beautiful photo. I love these leatherbacks.

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