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Dermochelyidae (Leatherback) of the United States
Only one living species on the planet and it is the largest living turtle. Lelagic. Although chiefly seen in tropical waters, it ranges into termperate waters during the summer
The Leatherback is the most specialized aquatic turtle. Instead of horny scutes it is covered with a smooth leathery skin. The carapace is made up of many small bnoy platelets embedded in the skin. Lacking a rigid shell, its ribs and vertegrae, unlike those of other turtles, are not attached to the carapace. Males have concave plastrons and tails longer then the hind limbs.
There is only one species of Dermochelyidae in the U.S.
Found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, chiefly in tropical waters but can be seen as far north as Newfoundland and British Columbia in summer..
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