Quick answer
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles — up to 700 kg with leathery shells and thermoregulation allowing cold-water foraging. Living about 45 years and diving over 1,000 metres, they eat almost exclusively jellyfish — listed Vulnerable from plastic ingestion.
Key takeaway
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles — up to 700 kg with leathery shells and thermoregulation allowing cold-water foraging. Living about 45 years and diving over 1,000 metres, they eat almost exclusively jellyfish — listed Vulnerable from plastic ingestion.
Leatherback Sea Turtle overview
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is a reptile listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight 250–700 kg (550–1,540 lb); largest of all turtles; lifespan around 40–45 years in the wild.
Leatherback Sea Turtle ecology
Diet: Carnivore — jellyfish and salps almost exclusively. Habitat: Oceans worldwide from tropics to Arctic edges. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Leatherback Sea Turtles and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild leatherback sea turtles are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Leatherback Sea Turtle profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild leatherback sea turtles.
Human interest and research
Leatherback Sea Turtles feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Sources
Leatherback Sea Turtle FAQs
What are key facts about leatherback sea turtles?
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles — up to 700 kg with leathery shells and thermoregulation allowing cold-water foraging. Living about 45 years and diving over 1,000 metres, they eat almost exclusively jellyfish — listed Vulnerable from plastic ingestion.
What is the scientific name of the leatherback sea turtle?
Dermochelys coriacea — used in research and conservation listings for leatherback sea turtles.
What do leatherback sea turtles eat?
Leatherback Sea Turtles eat jellyfish and salps almost exclusively, with seasonal and regional variation in Oceans worldwide from tropics to Arctic edges.
Where do leatherback sea turtles live?
They are associated with Oceans worldwide from tropics to Arctic edges. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of leatherback sea turtles?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.