On Land
- On land, leatherbacks move slowly, dragging their huge bodies with their front fins. When the babies hatch, they drag their 1 to 2 inch bodies straight for the water, completely relying on instinct.
- Leatherback sea turtles are much more graceful in water than on land. They flap their front flippers to generate thrust and forward motion. They do not rely on a constant paddling motion like most underwater turtles, but use their long, front flippers exclusively as wings generating underwater flight. Their carapace merges perfectly with its muscular shoulders. The special ridges running the length of its shell assist in directing water flow and reducing drag.
Their large size, accompanied by a thick layer of fat, keeps them warm in cold temperatures where they hunt for food. The blood flow to and from their flippers also changes in colder depths. All this helps them save and conserve energy.