Friends of Delnor-Wiggins: Leatherback Turtle

A 40-50 year old leatherback turtle visited the Park on January 4, 2010.

Slide show of leatherback visit

The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest of all living sea turtles. 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. Instead of teeth, the leatherback turtle has points on its upper lip, with backwards spines in its throat to help it swallow food. Leatherback turtles can dive to depths as great as 4,200 feet.

Naples Daily News article More information about leatherbacks