The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is a large aquatic reptile. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest living species of turtle. Adults can reach lengths of up to 1.75m (5.7ft) and weigh up to 700kg (1540lbs) - amongst living reptiles, only large crocodiles can get heavier. It is one of seven species of turtle adapted for marine life, with its front limbs modified into large paddles for swimming. Unlike other species of sea turtle, its teardrop-shaped body lacks a bony shell and is instead covered in thick, leathery skin which gives the turtle its name.
The leatherback sea turtle has the largest range of any sea turtle, being found in tropical and subtropical oceans across the world. Unlike other sea turtles, it can tolerate cooler temperatures and has been found as far north as Alaska. Leatherback sea turtles spend nearly their entire life in the open oceans hunting for jellyfish; individuals have been tracked travelling distances of 20000km and diving to depths of over 1000m. Females will only return to land in order to lay their eggs, as with all sea turtles. Leatherback sea turtles have few natural predators, but numbers are declining due to pollution, as turtles may mistake discarded plastic bags as jellyfish.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The leatherback sea turtle is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption when a zoo reaches a rating of 2.5 stars.
The leatherback sea turtle is a Pelagic animal, but will also tolerate Benthic. As a Pelagic animal, it does not require foliage or rocks in its exhibit. As it requires land in order to lay its eggs, the leatherback sea turtle can be kept in a tank with an island enrichment item, a hybrid-exhibit or a standard exhibit.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The leatherback sea turtle is the largest living turtle and is named for its leathery skin. The leatherback is found farther north and south than other sea turtles because it can maintain its body temperature well above that of the water due to its large size and muscular activity. The turtle is blackish or blue-black, and females have a pink spot on the top of their heads. The male spends its adult life in the sea; the female emerges only to lay eggs on beaches. The leatherback is not edible, but its eggs are, which has caused this turtle to become endangered. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The leatherback sea turtle is one of two animals that can tolerate the Benthic biome outside of animals that have it as a primary biome, with the other being the Killer Penguin.
- Concept art for the animal suggests that it was originally described as the subspecies Dermochelys coriacea coriacea. However, both subspecies of leathback sea turtle were invalidated the year after the expansion's release.
- The Leatherback Turtle is listed as Critically Endangered in Zoo Tycoon 2, but the species has since been reclassified as Vulnerable.