Friday, October 26, 2007

Leatherback sea turtle


Leatherback sea turtles are among the most endangered animals on the planet. These reptilian relics, part of a family of turtles that lived over 100 million years ago, are the only remaining representatives of their genus. They survived the demise of the dinosaurs and now teeter on the brink of extinction themselves. Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on Earth, growing up to 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) in length and exceeding 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms). They may live 45 years or more. The worldwide population is estimated at about 26,000 to 43,000 nesting females annually.

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