Skin is leathery. Not scaly like other turtles. But smooth and flexible, adapted to deep diving. Dermochelys coriacea grows in open ocean waters where pressure crushes lesser creatures. Its colouration is dark grey to black, with white spots on head and flippers. This cryptic appearance helps it avoid detection in deep water. The species inhabits open ocean and deep waters throughout tropical and temperate regions. It prefers pelagic environments with high jellyfish density, thriving where other predators cannot survive. Unlike other sea turtles, it has no hard shell. Instead, it has a flexible carapace covered in leathery skin. Adults reach up to 2 metres in length and can weigh over 900 kilograms. Making it the largest living turtle. Large flippers allow efficient swimming across vast distances. Diet consists primarily of jellyfish and other soft-bodied invertebrates. The leatherback uses its specialised throat spines to swallow prey whole. It also consumes salps and ctenophores when available. This diet requires constant feeding, as jellyfish provide low nutritional value. Breeding occurs on sandy beaches in tropical regions. Females return to their natal beaches to lay eggs, often travelling thousands of kilometres. Clutches contain over 100 eggs, incubated by sand temperature for about two months. Hatchlings emerge at night and scramble to the sea, facing immediate predation. Classified as Nationally Critical in New Zealand waters, the leatherback turtle is an extremely rare visitor. Global populations face threats from plastic ingestion, bycatch, and habitat loss. Plastic bags resemble jellyfish, leading to fatal blockages. Conservation efforts focus on reducing marine debris and protecting nesting sites. Each surviving hatchling represents a victory against overwhelming odds. The leatherback turtle persists where protection is maintained. A testament to resilience in a polluted ocean.