Leatherback sea turtles are the largest and most mysterious of all living turtles. They can weigh up to 900 kilograms and measure over two meters in length.
They are also the only turtles that lack a hard shell, hence their name. These ancient reptiles have been roaming the oceans for more than 100 million years, but their lives remain largely unknown to humans.
One of the most intriguing aspects of leatherback sea turtles is their extensive migrations, which can span thousands of kilometers and multiple years.
They travel from subtropical and tropical nesting locations, such as Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Gabon, to temperate foraging areas, such as Canada, New Zealand, and Norway. They feed mainly on jellyfish, which are abundant in these regions.
How Technology is Unveiling the Secrets of the Leatherback Sea Turtles(Photo : CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite decades of research and conservation efforts, there are still gaps in our knowledge of leatherback sea turtles' migration routes and foraging areas.
This is especially true for the northwest Atlantic Ocean, where leatherbacks nest in the Caribbean and migrate northward along the eastern coast of the US.
Scientists have long wondered where these turtles go, what they eat, and how they cope with changing environmental conditions.
A team of researchers from the University of Miami has recently made a breakthrough in answering some of these questions.
Using sophisticated satellite tracking technology, they have identified new migratory corridors and potential foraging areas used by leatherbacks in the northwest Atlantic.
Their findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, reveal new insights into the complex and adaptive movement behavior of these endangered animals.
Tracking the World's Largest Turtles
The researchers used satellite transmitters to track 32 adult female leatherbacks that nested in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, between 2013 and 2018.
The transmitters were attached to the turtles' backs using epoxy glue and were programmed to send location data every time the turtles surfaced to breathe. The transmitters also recorded the turtles' diving behavior, such as depth, duration, and frequency.
The researchers analyzed the location and diving data to identify the turtles' migration routes and foraging areas.
They also used environmental data, such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, and ocean currents, to understand the factors that influenced the turtles' movement and habitat selection.
The results showed that the leatherbacks followed two main migratory corridors along the eastern coast of the US: one that extended from Florida to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and another that extended from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia, Canada.
The turtles spent most of their time in these corridors, diving to depths of up to 200 meters and feeding on jellyfish.
The researchers also discovered that the leatherbacks used several potential foraging areas within these corridors, where they stayed for longer periods and exhibited more frequent and deeper dives.
These areas were characterized by high chlorophyll concentration, indicating high productivity and prey availability. Some of these areas were previously unknown to science, such as the waters off Long Island, New York, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Unveiling the Secrets of the Leatherback Sea Turtles
The study is the first to provide a comprehensive and detailed picture of leatherback sea turtles' migration and foraging behavior in the northwest Atlantic.
It reveals how these turtles navigate through diverse habitats and cope with varying environmental conditions. It also highlights their remarkable adaptability and flexibility, as they can switch between different foraging areas and strategies depending on the availability and distribution of their prey.
The study also has important implications for the conservation of leatherback sea turtles, which are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Leatherbacks face multiple threats, such as fishing bycatch, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. By identifying their migratory corridors and foraging areas, the study can help inform management and policy decisions to protect these vital habitats and reduce human impacts.
The researchers hope that their study will inspire further research and collaboration to unravel the secrets of the leatherback sea turtles and ensure their survival in the changing oceans.
They also hope that their study will raise awareness and appreciation of these majestic animals, which are not only the largest turtles, but also the ambassadors of the marine ecosystem.
