Leatherback Turtle - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 09 Dec 2011

Profile last updated: 30 May 2018

Description

A very large sea-turtle up to 3 m long with heavy paddle-shaped limbs lacking claws. Adults are dark brown or black above, sometimes with paler marbling or longitudinal rows of fine dots on the back, while hatchlings are a rich blue-black trimmed with white, and pale below. The adult shell is covered by a thick, smooth, leathery skin. There is a series of seven prominent longitudinal ridges above the shell and four ridges along the lower half of the shell.

Distribution

Throughout the world's tropical and temperate seas and in all coastal waters of Australia. Most sightings are in temperate waters. Large numbers of Leatherback Turtles feed in coastal waters from southern Queensland to the central coast of NSW.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in inshore and offshore marine waters.
Rarely breeds in Australia, with the nearest regular nesting sites being the Solomon Islands and Malayan Archipelago. Occasional breeding records from NSW coast, including between Ballina and Lennox Head in northern NSW.
Number of sightings in southern waters suggest species actively seeks temperate feeding grounds, rather than occurring only as stray vagrants.
Feed on jellyfish.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Risk of extinction because numbers are low.
Accidental entanglement in shark nets, traps, longlines and other fishing gear.
Predation at nest site by feral pigs and foxes.
Collision with boats and other marine traffic.
Marine debris, particularly plastic, which is mistaken for jellyfish and can cause asphyxiation, abrasion, infection and blockages in the turtle's system when swallowed.
Disturbance to nest sites.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Take care to avoid hitting turtles with boats or propellers when at sea. Boats with propellors should maintain a safe distance from turtles at sea.
Do not discard any debris at sea.
Control feral pigs and foxes in coastal areas.
Protect nesting turtles and nest sites from disturbance.
Support the use of turtle-exclusion devices on trawling nets.
Advise the DEC of any illegal collection of eggs or hatchlings.
Advise the DEC of any sightings of this turtle on NSW beaches.

Information sources

Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E., Sadlier, R. and Eggler, P. (1993) The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles. (Australian Museum, Sydney)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Predicted	None
Ocean	Batemans Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Predicted	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None

Related information

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Nature conservation

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