What is the largest species of turtle?

The largest living species of turtle is the leatherback sea turtle.

The leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea, can reach roughly 2.7 meters in length and weigh about 500 kilograms or more. Unlike other living sea turtles, it does not have a hard, bony shell covered with scutes. Instead, its back is protected by a flexible layer of leathery skin over small embedded bones, giving the animal its name.

Leatherbacks are built for long-distance ocean travel. They have the widest range of any sea turtle, ranging from tropical waters into cold regions near Alaska, Norway, and the southern tip of New Zealand. Their large size, thick body, and specialized blood circulation help them remain active in surprisingly cold water.

A common mix-up is confusing the largest living turtle with the largest turtle ever known. The extinct Archelon was considerably larger, reaching an estimated 4.5 meters across its body. Among living turtles, however, the leatherback holds the record.