OLYMPIC ANIMALS WEEK DAY #2

OLYMPIC ANIMALS DAY #2

We’re taking the Ellie and Edmond sub down to depths of the ocean to meet one amazing reptile! These turtles can dive deep and swim great distances! There’s plenty of room in the sub for everyone to meet these big reptiles! Let’s go!

MEET THE LEATHERBACK TURTLES!

   Range/Habitat: Tropical-Subtropical-temperate oceans worldwide

   Diet: Carnivore: jellies, fish

   Length/Weight: 4 ½-6ft/ up to 2000lbs

   Conservation Status: critically endangered

Fun Facts:

• Leatherback turtles are the largest of all marine turtles.
• They have the longest migration of any marine turtle, up to 3,700 miles one way!
• Leatherback turtles can dive down to depths of 1,300 ft!
• They can hold their breath for up 80 minutes!
• Leatherback turtles do not have hard carapaces (top shells); instead they have leathery ones.
• They have large flippers to help them swim.
• Relatives of the leatherback turtle date back 100 million years!

Wow! We love leatherback turtles! Can you believe that they swim 3,700 miles to get to their feeding & breeding grounds? You thought the 800 meter relay was hard! These turtles can do that in a blink!