leatherback

leatherback

leatherback marine turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters around the world. The largest of all turtles, it may reach a length of 7 1/2 ft (230 cm) and weigh 1200 lb (540 kg). Its shell, unlike that of most turtles, has no horny layer; the bone layer is covered with tough, leathery, black skin. Seven bony ridges running the length of the shell give this turtle its distinctive appearance. Highly pelagic turtles, leatherbacks have occasionally been seen as far N as Norway and as far S as New Zealand. They sometimes enter shallow coastal waters, but come ashore only to lay eggs. They are omnivorous feeders. Like other sea turtles , the leatherback is declining in numbers as a result of hunting and egg harvesting. It is classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Reptilia, order Chelonia, family Dermochelidae.

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"leatherback." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Dermochelidae

Dermochelidae(leathery turtle, leatherback; order Chelonia, suborder Cryptodira) A monospecific family (Dermochelys coriacea) comprising the largest marine turtle (up to 600 kg and 2 m long). The shell is not fused to the ribs or vertebrae, being reduced to dermal ossicles in a thick, leathery skin. The carapace is ridged, the flippers clawless. It occurs in all warm oceans.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Dermochelidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Dermochelidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Dermochelidae.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Dermochelidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Dermochelidae.html

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leatherback

leath·er·back / ˈle[voicedth]ərˌbak/ (also leatherback turtle) • n. a very large black turtle (Dermochelys coriacea, family Dermochelyidae) with a thick leathery shell, living chiefly in tropical seas.

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"leatherback." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"leatherback." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-leatherback.html

"leatherback." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-leatherback.html

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Dermochelys coriacea

Dermochelys coriacea See DERMOCHELIDAE.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Dermochelys coriacea." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Dermochelys coriacea." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Dermochelyscoriacea.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Dermochelys coriacea." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Dermochelyscoriacea.html

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leatherback

leatherback See DERMOCHELIDAE.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "leatherback." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "leatherback." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-leatherback.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "leatherback." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-leatherback.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Losing the leatherback: the world's largest living reptile may go extinct so...
Magazine article from: Earth Island Journal; 12/22/2002
Abundance, distribution, and habitat of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys...
Magazine article from: Fishery Bulletin; 7/1/2007
Vast protected area proposed for Pacific leatherbacks.
News Wire article from: PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association; 1/7/2010

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