The leatherback turtle has a worldwide distribution. Very little is known about the distribution of post-hatchlings and juveniles. Leatherbacks smaller than 100cm curved carapace length seem limited to regions warmer than 26 degrees centigrade. They nest on sandy beaches. The juveniles may remain in tropical waters warmer than 26 degrees centigrade, near the coast, until they exceed 100cm in curved carapace length.
Leatherback turtles are critically endangered.
The main threats have been a prolonged harvest of eggs and the incidental capture in oceanic fisheries. Fishing activities using longline and driftnets are an important threat since juveniles and adults are captured in migratory routes. Oceanic pollution, basically by plastics is another cause of mortality.