Overview
Turtles
Four species of sea turtle (family Cheloniidae - hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricatathe; loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta; green turtle Chelonia mydas; and the olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea), plus a fifth species, the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea (family Dermochelyidae) have been recorded in the New Zealand region.
The leatherback turtle, or luth, is most often recorded. It is the most distinctive species and is the largest turtle in the world, reaching a length of 3 m and weighing over 900 kg. Unlike other turtle species, the leatherback can tolerate colder temperatures and can regulate its body temperature. Specimens have been recorded as far south as Kaikoura, but they are usually rare south of Cook Strait.