The Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest turtle and living reptile in the world. A mature Leatherback can be as long as six and a half feet (2m) and weigh as much as 2,000 lbs (900 kg). It is the only sea turtle that does not have a hard, bony shell; instead its carapace is about 1.5 (4cm) thick and made up of leather and oil-saturated connective tissue overlaying loosely interlocking dermal bones. The carapace has seven ridges down its length, which ends in a blunt point. Adult Leatherbacks are black with a pinkish-white mottled abdomen and pale white and pink spotting on top of the head. Their front flippers do not have claws and the back flippers are paddle-shaped.

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