Observations on the Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea (L.), in Australia

Abstract

Nesting of leatherback turtles in eastern Australia is confined to low-density nesting on mainland subtropical Queensland. Measurements of adults, eggs and hatchlings from this area are presented. The species is relatively common in central eastern Australian waters though rarely sighted elsewhere in northern, eastern and southern Australia. The origin of the non-breeding eastern Australian leatherback turtles is postulated in terms of the colonies reported on the islands north of the Coral Sea.