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Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

The Leatherback marine turtle is the largest of all living turtles and one of the biggest reptiles on earth.  It is the only marine turtle to have a leather-like soft carapace, consisting of skin and oily flesh, which provides the origin of its name. 

Leatherback turtles encountered in the Mediterranean originate from across the Atlantic Ocean. Leatherback encounters are reported in almost every Mediterranean country. They constitute a rare, but regular visitor to the region, where they are presumably in search of food1.

Currently there are no records of Leatherback turtles nesting within the Mediterranean.

1. *Hochscheid et al. (2018). Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean Region: MTSG Annual Regional Report.

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