The largest turtle in the world - what is it?

Turtles are the elders of the fauna that survivedmany similar animals. They belong to the eponymous ancient group of animals, a class of reptiles (reptiles). Over the past 200 million years, turtles have not changed much. These creatures of different sizes and ages are surprisingly viable: some species up to five years can live without food, up to 10 hours remain alive in atmospheric layers deprived of oxygen.

So, the largest turtle in the world - leathery, or Dermochelys coriacea. They reach striking dimensions - the length can be about two meters, the range of front fins - up to 5 m, and the weight of giants - up to 900 kg. Being the largest, they are also long-lived: the age of some totals 23 years.

These turtles can hold body heatconstant food. They excellently dive and can stay under the water for a long time. These giants are listed in the Guinness Book of Records as holders of the perfect achievement in speed among reptiles: 35.28 km / h.

The largest turtle is different from its contemporaries. Its shell is covered with thick skin, having a thickness of about 4 cm.

Waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans- the habitats of these giants. The favorite places of nesting were the coasts of Mexico and Guiana, Western Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. Masonry occurs during late spring and early summer. The process of laying two groups of eggs (normal and sterile) lasts about 10-20 minutes, while the remaining 40 minutes go to digging out, packing and disguising the nest. The largest tortoise in the world appears from the egg to the light after 2 months and immediately rushes to the sea. The turtle returns to its places with intervals of 2-3 years at night.

The world's largest turtle eats jellyfish, fish, sea worms, crustaceans and aquatic plants.

At present, these sea giants of steelare less and less common. The main reason is the reduction in the number of places to lay eggs. This is due to mass tourism and intensive construction of resorts with equipped beach areas.

Significant impact on the number of fishingeggs and the popularity of adults as a food product. Fishing nets and plastic debris were destroyed by more than one creature. The world's largest tortoise has the most valuable material - Fat used to seal joints in boats.

Another tragedy is high-valuematerial, "tortoiseshell" - a layer that covers the skeleton of the turtle. In its composition, the plates, which are beautiful in color, pattern and shape, stand out, behind which the trappers of the turtles hunt.

The International Union for Conservation of Naturemeasures aimed at protecting the eggs of the tortoise. These laws should contribute to the fact that the world's largest turtle will increase its strength. For example, in Malaysia (in the state of Trenganu) a 12-kilometer seacoast section is recognized as a protected area. Every year, up to 1,700 female turtles arrive in its territory for the laying of eggs.