Leatherback Seaturtles - VS

= Seaturtles = Turtles are the oldest reptiles. They are ectothermic hence they maintain their body temperature through behavioural and physiological mechanisms.

The Leatherback turtles's physiological mechanisms include:

·      Leatherback sea turtles have an unusually high body temperature compared to surrounding water, due to the fact that they are generally highly metabolically active.

·      Leatherbacks have a large size compared to their body surface area, allowing for a more efficient storage of heat in cold water.

A large surface area also means that heat can be lost effectively, especially through the turtle’s flippers, in extremities of hot water. This allows for the turtle to remain cool while swimming.

·      They have a specialised circulatory system which minimises heat loss in the cool water.

·      They also have a layer of fat under their surface which insulates the turtle’s insides from the cool water.

·      The oils in its body also help to store heat.

The Leatherback turtle also possess some behavioural mechanisms:

They dive much deeper than other turtles, reaching depths of over 3,000 feet as they hunt for jellyfish. Hence they have a high number of red blood cells in their muscles which enables them to:

-       carry more oxygen for aerobic respiration

-       stay submerged for longer periods of time

They also alter their level of activity depending on the temperature of the surrounding water, so in hot water, the turtles tend to be less active, swimming at a slower rate which helps to cool them down.