Leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea washed ashore at Kovalam, Madras

Abstract

Of Ihe five species of sea turtles occurring in the Indian seas, the leatherback turtle Dermochelys conacea (Linnaeus) popularly known as 'Eluvarai amai' or 'Dhoni amai' is rare. The washing ashore of the carcass of a female D. coriacea, 35 km south of Madras near Kovalam fishing village is recorded here. This species is said to nest three to four times in a year but the peak intensity is during May and June. The eggs vary from 50 to 55 mm in diameter and weigh from 70 to 80 gm. The period of incubation is from 50 to 70 days. The carapace length of hatchlings varies from 80 to 85 mm and weighs about 32.5 to 33.5 gm. The species is predominantly pelagic and highly migratory and found usually in the open sea.