havslädersköldpadda

The havslädersköldpadda, scientifically known as Dermochelys coriacea, is a species of large sea turtle belonging to the family Dermochelyidae. It is the only extant species in its genus. The havslädersköldpadda is easily distinguished from other sea turtles by its leathery, not hard, shell, which is composed of oily, connective tissue and small bones. This unique carapace gives it its common name, the leatherback sea turtle.

These turtles are the largest of all living turtles and are found in oceans worldwide, from tropical waters to the colder regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. They are highly migratory, often traveling thousands of miles between nesting and feeding grounds. Their diet primarily consists of jellyfish, which they locate using an exceptional sense of smell.

The reproductive cycle of the havslädersköldpadda involves females returning to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. They dig nests in the sand and deposit clutches of eggs, which then incubate for approximately two months before hatching. Both the eggs and hatchlings face numerous threats, as do adult turtles, including predation, bycatch in fishing gear, and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts are underway globally to protect this remarkable species.