Amazing footage has emerged showing the incredible moment when a truly colossal sea turtle emerged from the ocean in front of awe-struck beach-goers in Florida.
A huge leatherback turtle was caught on camera, crawling back into the ocean after laying eggs on Hutchinson Island, Florida.
Credit: Facebook/Robin Michael
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Leatherbacks are the largest species of sea turtles that nest in Florida, primarily on the state's Atlantic coast.
The massive reptile uses its powerful front flippers to haul itself back towards the shoreline as an excited man looks on and snaps some once-in-a-lifetime photographs.
The leatherback turtle is the largest species of sea turtle left on earth and once fully grown, can reach weights of around a whopping 700kg.
Sadly, however, the species has rapidly decreased in numbers, spurring several conservation laws to spring up around the world.
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The turtle's low numbers make this sighting all the rarer and more exciting.
Leatherback turtles come up onto the beach in order to lay eggs which can be about the same size as golf balls.
While very little is known about their lifespan, some think it could exceed 100 years.
A while back two Australian blokes were condemned for 'surfing' a rare Green Turtle.
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The two men, who reportedly took the picture on a beach on Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia, incorrectly labelled it a tortoise. This type of sea turtle is endangered, and is protected worldwide.
Regarding the matter, a QPWS agency spokesperson told the Fraser Coast Chronicle: "QPWS are taking this matter very seriously and investigating further.
"These guys are just complete idiots - there's no way they should be doing what they were doing."
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Due to investigation from both QPWS and The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, the two inebriated douche bags could face a fine of up to $20,000 each for harassing wildlife.
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Robin Michael
