Anatomy/Appearance
This turtle’s hard shell is known as the carapace. The shell is attached to its skeleton. It is made of several bony plates. The plates fit together like a puzzle. The Leatherback Turtle is flatter than other turtles so that it can swim better. It also has flippers instead of legs. Although a Leatherback Turtle has a softer shell, it is tough enough to protect it from sharks.The Leatherback Turtle's height is 4-8 feet, and it weight is 600-800 pounds.
Diet
Leatherbacks have delicate, scissor-like jaws. Their jaws would be damaged by anything other than a diet of soft-bodied animals, so they feed mostly on jellyfish.
Life Cycle
Life Cycle of A Sea Turtle. The sea turtle life cycle starts when a female lays its eggs on a nesting beach, usually in the tropics. From six weeks to two months later (depending on the species), a tiny hatchling makes its way to the surface of the sand and heads to the water, dodging every predator imaginable.
Reproduction
Female sea turtles must come ashore to build nests and lay their eggs. Females usually nest during the warmest months of the year. The exception is the leatherback turtle, which nests in fall and winter. Females of most species usually come ashore at night, alone, most often during high tide.
Behavior