Description of the Leatherback
(Dermochelys coriacea)

*source: Pritchard & Mortimier (1999)

Shape broadly triangular; width to 25 cm; two prominent maxiallary cusps, covered with unscaled skin in adults.

Elongate with seven prominent longitudinal ridges (keels); scutes always absent; adults with smooth skin, but hatchlings covered with small bead-like scales; straight carapace length to 180 cm (to 165 cm in the eastern Pacific).

Black and white in color; relatively small, distensible (with very little bone).