Leatherback Sea Turtle
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Dermochelyidae
Genus: Dermochelys
Species: D. coriacea
Common name: Leatherback Sea Turtle
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Dermochelyidae
Genus: Dermochelys
Species: D. coriacea
Common name: Leatherback Sea Turtle
Morphology
Symmetry: Bilateral
Structure: Leathery back instead of a carapace
Appearance: Tear drop shaped body
Structure: Leathery back instead of a carapace
Appearance: Tear drop shaped body
Forelimbs are modified into long, paddle-like flippers for swimming.
Since they are cold-blooded, sea turtles have a slow metabolic rate. This slowed metabolism allows them to stay submerged for long periods of time.
Since they are cold-blooded, sea turtles have a slow metabolic rate. This slowed metabolism allows them to stay submerged for long periods of time.
Importance
Some scientists now speculate that the Leatherback may play an important role in the recovery of diminishing fish populations. Since the Leatherback consumes its weight in jellyfish per day, it helps to keep Jellyfish populations in check. Jellyfish consume large quantities of fish larvae. The rapid decline in Leatherback populations over the last 50 years has been accompanied by a significant increase in jellyfish and a marked decrease in fish in our oceans.
Although the flesh of adult leatherbacks can sometimes be toxic, adults and eggs are used for food in some locations, and in a few places the oil from the bodies of adults is extracted for medicinal use and as a waterproofing agent.
Although the flesh of adult leatherbacks can sometimes be toxic, adults and eggs are used for food in some locations, and in a few places the oil from the bodies of adults is extracted for medicinal use and as a waterproofing agent.
Facts
- Leatherbacks have the widest global distribution of all reptile species, and possibly of any vertebrate.
- Life span in the wild is on average about 45 years.
- They can dive deeper than any other turtle, about 4,200 feet.
- They can consume twice their weight in prey per day.
- The average adult is 5-6 feet and weighs 600-800 pounds.
- Life span in the wild is on average about 45 years.
- They can dive deeper than any other turtle, about 4,200 feet.
- They can consume twice their weight in prey per day.
- The average adult is 5-6 feet and weighs 600-800 pounds.
Vocabulary
Carapace- the hard upper shell of a turtle, crustacean, or arachnid.
Osteoderms- bony deposits forming scales, plates or other structures in the dermal layers of the skin.
Countershading- The pattern of animal coloration in which an animal’s pigmentation is darker on the upper side and lighter on the underside of the body.
Endotherm- an animal that is dependent on or capable of the internal generation of heat; a warm-blooded animal.
Clutch- The number of eggs produced by a turtle at one time. The number of eggs deposited in a nest.
Osteoderms- bony deposits forming scales, plates or other structures in the dermal layers of the skin.
Countershading- The pattern of animal coloration in which an animal’s pigmentation is darker on the upper side and lighter on the underside of the body.
Endotherm- an animal that is dependent on or capable of the internal generation of heat; a warm-blooded animal.
Clutch- The number of eggs produced by a turtle at one time. The number of eggs deposited in a nest.
Resources
- National geographic: Leatherback Sea Turtle
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle/
- Wikipedia: Leatherback Sea Turtle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherback_sea_turtle
- See turtles: Leatherback sea turtle
http://www.seeturtles.org/leatherback-turtles/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle/
- Wikipedia: Leatherback Sea Turtle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherback_sea_turtle
- See turtles: Leatherback sea turtle
http://www.seeturtles.org/leatherback-turtles/
Waved Albatross
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Diomedeidae
Genus: Phoebastria
Species :P. irrorata
Common name: waved albatross
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Diomedeidae
Genus: Phoebastria
Species :P. irrorata
Common name: waved albatross
Morphology
Symmetry: Bilateral
Structure: Two wings adapted to fly with little effort
Appearance: Long wing span
Structure: Two wings adapted to fly with little effort
Appearance: Long wing span
Biology
Have long wings designed to glide.
Can convert their food to an oily liquid that keeps for a considerably long time so they don't have to return frequently to feed their chicks.
Can convert their food to an oily liquid that keeps for a considerably long time so they don't have to return frequently to feed their chicks.
Importance
Ecological- They eat squid, octopus, krill, crabs, lobsters and fish
Economic- People spend money to try to conserve them
Economic- People spend money to try to conserve them
Facts
- Considered the 747 of the bird world.
- A female only lays 1 egg per year.
- Weighs 3-4 kg.
- Juveniles have a whiter head and a duller bill than adults.
- They are critically endangered according to the IUCN.
- A female only lays 1 egg per year.
- Weighs 3-4 kg.
- Juveniles have a whiter head and a duller bill than adults.
- They are critically endangered according to the IUCN.
Vocabulary
Courtship- the behavior of male birds and other animals aimed at attracting a mate.
Wingspan- the maximum extent across the wings of an aircraft, bird, or other flying animal, measured from tip to tip.
Long line fishing- a type of fishing that sometimes drowns birds.
Dynamic soaring- flying technique used to gain energy by repeatedly crossing the boundary between air masses of significantly different velocity.
Naricorns- nostrils
Wingspan- the maximum extent across the wings of an aircraft, bird, or other flying animal, measured from tip to tip.
Long line fishing- a type of fishing that sometimes drowns birds.
Dynamic soaring- flying technique used to gain energy by repeatedly crossing the boundary between air masses of significantly different velocity.
Naricorns- nostrils
Resources
- Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waved_albatross
- Arkive
http://www.arkive.org/waved-albatross/phoebastria-irrorata/
- Animal corner
https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/galapagos-waved-albatross/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waved_albatross
- Arkive
http://www.arkive.org/waved-albatross/phoebastria-irrorata/
- Animal corner
https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/galapagos-waved-albatross/