What Is the Biggest Turtle Ever Recorded?

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The largest ever recorded turtle was a leatherback turtle that weighed in at 2,016 pounds and was 9 feet long. It died after becoming trapped in fishing lines.

Scientists believe the turtle was around 100 years old. It is currently on display at the National Museum Cardiff in the United Kingdom.

According to NOAA, leatherback turtles normally weigh between 550 pounds and 2,000 pounds and grow up to 6 feet in length. Leatherback turtles can be found to the far north, all the way to Canada and the northern Pacific Ocean. They tend to nest in tropical waters, with known nesting grounds in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and southeastern Florida.