I saw this photo on FB this week and I had to find out if it was genuine or photo shopped:
The write up given on Facebook was “The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the largest turtle in the world, weighing approximately 900kg. Contrary to appearance, the Leatherback doesn’t actually have a shell. What looks like a shell is in fact a leathery skin supported by small bones. This gives it a flexibility that a solid shell would not provide, allowing it to dive to astonishing depths.” This information was taken from the I fucking love science Facebook page which can be found here.
I am happy to say that this Facebook Myth and legend is in fact true. According to the national geographic website Leatherback Turtles grow up to two metres long and can exceed 2000 pounds (900kg) in weight. The flexibility and hydrodynamic structure of their Leatherback allows them to dive to depths of 1280 meters which is deeper than any other turtle. They have the widest global distribution of any other reptile species and the longest migration of any other turtle. Their lifespan is unknown as many Leatherbacks come to an early end due to humans.
http://www.facebook.com/4partsofthe1
