Young leatherback turtles seen in UK waters
Within weeks of each other, conservationists have confirmed at least two sightings of young leatherback turtles swimming off the Cornish coast during August 2006.
While it frequent is possible to spot adult leatherbacks in UK waters, the sighting of juvenile turtles, which are under 1 meter long, is a very unlikely event and only a few confirmed sightings have been recorded in the last 50 years.
Juvenile leatherback turtles are by conservationists being see as further proof that UK waters are heating up and attracting animals, which we just a few years ago would have consider impossible to find so near to the United kingdom.
Young leatherback turtles have not fully developed the layers of fat that can be found on an adult turtles. Hence, they therefore prefer warmer waters, which points towards a rise in UK sea temperature that enable these young animals to survive this far north.
It is unlikely that leatherback turtles will breed in the UK, as they require temperatures above 22C to hatch their eggs.
11th September 2006
