Scientists Uncover Secret Foraging Havens of the World’s Largest Turtles

Leatherback sea turtles, the largest of all living turtles, embark on extensive migratory journeys that may extend over several years. These turtles move from warm subtropical and tropical nesting grounds to cooler temperate zones where they forage. Even after years of tracking, knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding their migration pathways and feeding grounds in certain areas, such as the north-west Atlantic Ocean.

Using new and more sophisticated tracking technology, a team of researchers in the US set out to identify migratory corridors and potential foraging areas used by leatherbacks along the east coast of the US. The findings have been published in Frontiers in Marine Science.