The Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) The Leatherback (or truckback) is the largest sea turtle living today. It may grown to be eight feet long and weigh 200 pounds. its overall color is black. The Leatherback is the only sea turtle that does not have a hard top shell. It is protected instead by thick skin with seven long ridges along its back. Its leathery back gives the turtle its name. The Leatherback is a great wanderer. Its huge front flippers take it thousands of miles. The Leatherback`s favorite food is a jellyfish most sea animals avoid--the poisonous Portuguese man-of-war. Like all sea turtles, the Leatherback has no teeth and uses its strong sharp, beak to catch food. The leatherback can be found in the deep waters around the Hawaiian Islands.

No ka Leatherback He mo'o nunui ka honu leatherback e ola ai i keia la. Hiki ia ia ke ulu a hiki na kapua'i he 'ewalu a he 'elua kaukani paona kona kaumaha. He 'ele'ele kona waiho'olu'u. 'O ka honu leatherback ka honu wale no me ka una palupalu. Palekana 'ia 'i ia e kona 'ili manoanoa me 'ehiku pu'u ma kona kua. Mai kona 'ili manoanoa i loa'a ai kona inoa. He mea 'auana wale ka honu leatherback. Hiki ia ia ke 'aukai ia na mile kaukani me kona mau hui nunui. 'O kona 'ai punahele 'o ia no kekahi pololia a na i'a'e a'e i ho'alo, 'o ia ho'i, ka Pa'imalau. E like me na honu kai like 'ole, 'a'ohe niho ko ka honu leatherback, no laila, hopu 'o ia i kana mea 'ai me kona nuku. Loa'a no ka honu leatherback ma ke kai hohonu o ka pae'aina Hawai'i.

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