Miocene Leatherback Turtle Skull

Miocene Leatherback Skull. Demochelys coriacea. Sharktooth Hill California.

* Skull size 14.5 inch (36.8 cm)
* Cast in durable polyurethane resins.
* Museum quality replica
* Made in USA
* Metal sand is included

Miocene Leatherback turtle or Demochelys coriacea are named for their shell, which is leather-like rather than hard, like other turtles. They are the largest sea turtle species and also one of the most migratory, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Miocene leatherback turtle or Dermochelys coriacea is the largest of living turtles. They have a secondary palate, formed by vomer and palatine bones. The leatherback does not have a visible shell. The shell is present but it consists of bones that are buried into its dark brown or black skin. It has seven pronounced ridges in its back and five on the underside.

Miocene Leatherback turtle or Dermochelys coriacea lay their eggs in the sand of tropical beaches. It is the only time they emerge onto land. Leatherback hatchlings look mostly black when looking down on them, and their flippers are margined in white. Rows of white scales give hatchling leatherbacks the white striping that runs down the length of their backs.

Miocene Leatherback turtle or Dermochelys coriacea are carnivores that feed in the open ocean. Their main prey are gelatinous invertebrates, mainly jellyfish and salps. They are known to eat other kinds of food though, including small crustaceans and fish, cephalopods, sea urchins, and snails.