Diving and foraging behavior of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)

Abstract

Remote time–depth recorders (TDR) were deployed on six gravid leatherbacks nesting on Sandy Point, St. Croix. Dive behavior was monitored continuously for each turtle during internesting intervals ranging from 9 to 11 days. Dive duration averaged 9.9 min/dive (SD = 5.3, n = 5096); mean depth was 61.6 m (SD = 59.1, n = 5096). One turtle dived twice beyond the range of her TDR to depths we estimate >1000 m. Postdive surfacing intervals averaged 4.9 min/dive (SD = 13.1, n = 5090). Differences in mean dive depth, dive duration, and surface intervals among turtles were not attributable to differences in body size (length or mass). Distinct diel periodicity was observed in dive behavior; submergence intervals were longest at dawn, declined throughout the day, and were shortest at dusk. Night dives (19:00–04:59) were shorter, shallower, and more frequent than day dives (05:00–18:59). Dive depth was less variable at night than during the day. The dive pattern suggests nocturnal foraging within the deep scattering layer, a hypothesis that is corroborated by seasonal weight loss data.