Artwork by Dan Burgevin
Leatherback Sea Turtle Lokta Card
$5.00 – $8.00
- Our images are set in a frame on this beautiful, handmade paper from the Nepalese Lokta shrub.
- This tree-free paper is both environmentally friendly and sustainably harvested.
- Each card comes with an envelope and is packaged individually in 100% biodegradable cellophane sleeve.
- Cards are blank on the inside for your message.
- Back of card has educational story, shown below in description.
Back of Card DESCRIPTION
The leatherback is the giant of marine turtles; these oceanic reptiles can reach 6-8 feet in length and weigh 1200-1600 pounds. It is the most widely distributed of all sea turtles, found in the open ocean from Alaska to the tip of Africa. Leatherbacks are so named because their shells are made of a layer of thin, tough, rubbery skin that looks like leather. This carapace features 7 prominent keels. It is known to be active in water below 40 degree Fahrenheit, the only reptile known to remain active in such low temperatures. A powerful swimmer, it wanders great distances at sea, and feeds primarily on jellyfish.
Leatherback females come to beachfront nesting sites at night to lay eggs in groupings of 50-150; hatchlings emerge 8-10 weeks later. Leatherbacks have been listed as endangered throughout their range. Human impact of nesting sites has negatively impacted their populations. There has been much habitat lost to development, and interference from artificial lighting causes disorientation of adults and hatchlings. Off-road vehicles and illegal poaching of eggs also take a toll. In their marine environment, they face dangers from the nets of fisheries and shrimp fleets. Leatherbacks eat a wide variety of marine debris such as plastic bags and balloons mistaking these for jellyfish. We would do well to keep healthy habitats for these ancient creatures.
artwork by Dan Burgevin © 2003
text by Steve Sierigk
