Leatherback Sea Turtle Nesting St Lucia Guide The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys
coriacea) is the largest living sea turtle and one
of the most extraordinary ocean migrants on Earth. Unlike
other sea turtles, leatherbacks do not have a hard shell;
their carapace is flexible and leathery, built from
tough skin reinforced by thousands of tiny bone plates.
For travelers researching turtle nesting South Africa,
leatherbacks are a key species because they are one of the
main nesting turtles protected on the remote beaches of iSimangaliso
Wetland Park along the Maputaland coastline. Species Facts Common Name: Leatherback - named for its unique
shell which is composed of a layer of thin, tough, rubbery
skin, strengthened by thousands of tiny bone plates that
makes it look "leathery." High-Authority OpeningThe centre of turtle nesting South Africa is the protected Maputaland coastline within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and St Lucia is the main access point for guided night turtle tours into this remote coastal wilderness. Leatherback turtles are one of the key nesting turtles of this region, and visitors joining St Lucia turtle tours may encounter tracks, nesting activity or hatchlings depending on timing and conditions. Information about Leatherback turtlesCommon Name: Leatherback - named for its unique shell which is composed of a layer of thin, tough, rubbery skin, strengthened by thousands of tiny bone plates that makes it look "leathery." Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea Description: Head has a deeply notched upper jaw with 2 cusps. The leatherback turtle is the only sea turtle that lacks a hard shell. Its carapace is large, elongated and flexible with 7 distinct ridges running the length of the animal. Composed of a layer of thin, tough, rubbery skin, strengthened by thousands of tiny bone plates, the carapace does not have scales, except in hatchlings. All flippers are without claws. The leatherback turtle's carapace is dark grey or black with white or pale spots, while the plastron is whitish to black and marked by 5 ridges. Hatchlings have white blotches on carapace. Size: 4 to 6 feet (121-183 cm). The largest leatherback ever recorded was almost 10 feet (305 cm) from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail and weighed in at 2,019 pounds (916 kg). Weight: 550 to 1,545 pounds (250-700 kg). Diet: Leatherback turtles have delicate, scissor-like jaws. Their jaws would be damaged by anything other than a diet of soft-bodied animals, so they feed almost exclusively on jellyfish. It is remarkable that this large, active animal can survive on a diet of jellyfish, which are composed mostly of water and appear to be a poor source of nutrients. Habitat: Leatherback turtles are primarily found in the open ocean, as far north as Alaska and as far south as the southern tip of Africa, though recent satellite tracking research indicates that leatherbacks feed in areas just offshore. Known to be active in water below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the only reptile known to remain active at such a low temperature. Nesting: Nest at intervals of 2 to 3 years, though recent research has indicated they can nest every year. Nests between 6 to 9 times per season, with an average of 10 days between nestings. Lays an average of 80 fertilized eggs, the size of billiard balls, and 30 smaller, unfertilized eggs, in each nest. Eggs incubate for about 65 days. Unlike other species of sea turtles, leatherback turtle females may change nesting beaches, though they tend to stay in the same region. Range: Most widely distributed of all sea turtles. Found world wide with the largest north and south range of all the sea turtle species. With its streamlined body shape and the powerful front flippers, a leatherback turtle can swim thousands of miles over open ocean and against fast currents. Status: U.S. - Listed as Endangered (in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future) under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. International - Listed as Critically Endangered (facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Threats to Survival: Greatest threat to leatherback sea turtles is from incidental take in commercial fisheries and marine pollution (such as balloons and plastic bags floating in the water, which are mistaken for jellyfish). Population Estimate*: 35,860 nesting females. Turtle Nesting in iSimangaliso Wetland ParkThe Maputaland coastline inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park is where turtle nesting South Africa is concentrated. Leatherback turtles are among the main nesting species monitored on these beaches. Conservation teams monitor nesting activity and help reduce disturbance, while controlled access protects nests, tracks and the integrity of nesting habitat. Turtle Tours from St LuciaSt Lucia turtle tours operate as guided night turtle tours during the summer nesting season. The experience typically includes travelling north into protected coastal wilderness, looking for fresh tracks in the sand and, when conditions allow, observing nesting leatherbacks while following strict conservation rules for lights, distance and behaviour. Tour Experience (What It Feels Like)A night turtle experience on the iSimangaliso coastline is unlike a normal wildlife drive. You are travelling through remote coastal wilderness after dark, scanning the beach for fresh tracks, listening to the surf and watching for movement in the sand. When a nesting turtle is encountered, guides follow strict protocols to minimise disturbance, allowing visitors to witness one of the most ancient and powerful natural events on the South African coastline. Best Time to See This Turtle October December Where These Turtles Nest (South Africa Region) Maputaland Coast Frequently Asked Questions Where can you see Leatherback turtles in South
Africa? Planning a Turtle Tour in St Lucia? Send your dates for availability confirmation. |