WATCH: Sea turtle seen feasting on massive jellyfish by Center for Coastal Studies team

By Provincetown Banner https://provincetown.wickedlocal.com/

Posted Jul 13, 2020

PROVINCETOWN — A small leatherback sea turtle was seen feasting on a massive lion’s mane jellyfish by Center for Coastal Studies researchers on Stellwagen Bank.

The team from the humpback whale studies program captured footage of a four-foot long leatherback turtle feeding on the jellyfish. The turtle is considered relatively small, and weighs a few hundred pounds or so.

CoastalStudiesPtown

The Center for Coastal Studies Humpback Whale Studies program recently came across an amazing sight on Stellwagen Bank: This relatively small (around four feet long and a few hundred pounds) leatherback sea turtle dining on a massive lion's mane jellyfish! While the turtle was feeding it was oblivious to the world around it, highlighting its vulnerability to approaching boats. As with whales, entanglement in fishing gear and boat strikes are relatively common for this endangered species. All mariners are urged to keep a sharp look out for these animals to avoid injuring them and please report any entangled animals to our hotline immediately (1-800-900-3622).