Leatherback Turtle  |  

Dermochelys coriacea

Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list

Leatherback Turtles are the largest of all sea turtles, with adult females having a mean size of 1.6 m curved carapace length (Limpus et al. 1984c) and some females reaching up to 1 t in weight. Both males and females have a spindled shaped body with unscaled keeled carapaces (shells). Adults are black with pale spots. These spots turn pinkish when out of the water as blood flows to the surface of the skin to cool the body. Leatherback Turtles have a number of physiological adaptions that allow them to maintain elevated body temperatures in cold water and avoid overheating in warmer water, including low metabolic rate, large thermal inertia, blood flow adjustments and peripheral insulation.

Government evidence of impact of climate change:

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  • Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Dermochelys coriacea

    Possible impacts from climate change are likely to exacerbate current threats (Hamann et al.; 2007).

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  • Australian Government, Listing Advice, Dermochelys coriacea

    It is unknown how Leatherback Turtles will respond to climate change impacts; but this is considered to be a potential future threat to the species; particularly through increased air temperature (Hamann et al.; 2007).
    These include egg predation by feral pigs (Sus scrofa); monitor lizards (Varanus salvator) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris); adult turtle harvest; disturbance of nesting beaches from coastal development and the possibility of impacts on nesting success caused by climate change.
    The Committee further judges that this population has experienced a very high rate of decline over the last generation and that this decline is expected to continue in the face of current threats and the possible future threat of climate change.
    The Committee further judges that this population has experienced a very high rate of decline over the last generation and that this decline is expected to continue in the face of current threats and the possible future threat of climate change.

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