For over 65 million years, leatherback sea
turtles have migrated the earth's oceans. Their habitat spans
the globe from the North Atlantic near the Arctic Circle to
the South Pacific around New Zealand. They are the largest
living marine reptiles, with a shell length of 6-8 feet and
weigh between 650 - 1,200 pounds. The leatherback sea turtle
may live for up to 40 years. In 1980 there were over
115,000 adult females, but now there are fewer than 25,000
worldwide. In the Pacific Ocean, the leatherback sea turtles
are close to extinction.
Jamie visits with Bryan Wallace
to discuss environmental issues facing the leatherback sea
turtles in Costa Rica
Click to play these videos:
Video
2 - Watch a leatherback sea turtle lay eggs
on the beach.
Video
3- The sea turtle enters the ocean after laying
her eggs.
From
Jamie's Journal
December 15,
2005
Last night was incredible. I went out and patrolled the beach
with Nathan, a researcher here at the project. We walked up
and down the beach from 12 am till close to 5am. In our travels
up and down the beach, we encountered one Leatherback. It
was my first ever sighting of one, so I was completely mesmerized
by the experience. When we first found her, it was unclear
whether or not she had or had not laid her eggs yet ...
Read more of Jamie's journal>>
Click here for classroom activities and resources, Q &
A, and team journals. This supplemental site is developed
and hosted by Emily Thompson, Wiscasset Schools, Wiscasset,
ME.
