Are leatherback sea turtle found in India?
Yes, leatherback sea turtles are found in India however, data on the Indian ocean subpopulation is deficient. In India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands make up the geographic range of the species. Galathea National Park on Great Nicobar Island is the largest nesting site in Southeast Asia.
What is so special about leatherback sea turtles?
Leatherback sea turtles are the largest and the deepest diving sea turtles in the world. They regularly go to depths of 900m and have also been recorded as deep as 1200m. They have hard, rubbery skin in place of a shell. They can weigh anything from 250 to 700km.
What are the threats to leatherback turtles?
Destruction of nesting sites is one of the main threats to leatherback turtle populations. Additionally poaching of eggs, entanglements in fishing nets and lines, death due to plastic ingestion and boat strikes.
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