This massive and gorgeous Leatherback Sea Turtle came ashore in an unknown location and bystanders were able to capture some amazing pictures and video of the creature.

The turtle, burrowed in the sand for a bit and then decided to head back home to the ocean waters.

Would you look at the size of this turtle? Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest turtle on Earth! What a sight to behold!

About Leatherback Turtles

Leatherback turtles have the most hydrodynamic body design of any sea turtle, with a large, teardrop-shaped body. A large pair of front flippers powers the turtles through the water. Like other sea turtles, the leatherback has flattened fore limbs adapted for swimming in the open ocean.

Claws are absent from both pairs of flippers. The leatherback’s flippers are the largest in proportion to its body among extant sea turtles. Leatherback’s front flippers can grow up to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) in large specimens, the largest flippers (even in comparison to its body) of any sea turtle.

The leatherback has several characteristics that distinguish it from other sea turtles. Its most notable feature is the lack of a bony carapace. Instead of scutes, it has thick, leathery skin with embedded minuscule osteoderms. Seven distinct ridges rise from the carapace, crossing from the cranial to caudal margin of the turtle’s back. Leatherbacks are unique among reptiles in that their scales lack β-keratin.

The entire turtle’s dorsal surface is colored dark grey to black, with a scattering of white blotches and spots. Demonstrating counter shading, the turtle’s underside is lightly colored. Instead of teeth, the leatherback turtle has points on the tomium of its upper lip, with backwards spines in its throat to help it swallow food and to stop its prey from escaping once caught.