Leatherback Sea Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtle

The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), sometimes called the lute turtle, is the largest of all living turtles (as well as the largest extant sea turtle) and is the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. Dermochelys coriacea is the only extant member of the family Dermochelyidae.

Read more about Leatherback Sea Turtle:  Anatomy and Physiology, Distribution, Importance To Humans, Conservation

Famous quotes containing the words sea and/or turtle:

    Thus hulling in
    The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
    Toward this remedy, whereupon we are
    Now present here together.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one,
    and come away.
    For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
    The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
    —Bible: Hebrew The Song of Solomon (l. II, 10–12)