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How is the leatherback sea turtle’s shell different from the shells of other sea turtles?

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Illustrations of ten representative chelonians, including spiny softshell turtle, Galapagos giant tortoise, green turtle, alligator snapping turtle, Blanding's turtle, common map turtle, eastern box turtle, eastern painted turtle, spotted turtle, and eastern mud turtle, each labeled with its common and scientific name. A scale bar at the bottom shows size comparison. — turtle Turtles (order Testudines).

Unlike other sea turtles, which are characterized by a hard, bony shell covered in epidermal scutes (scales), the leatherback sea turtle possesses a unique, flexible shell structure.12

The leatherback’s shell features a greatly reduced bony architecture with bones that are less firmly articulated than those of other species. While hatchlings are born with scutes, these are quickly shed as the turtle grows, leaving the bony carapace covered by a thick, leathery skin. This adaptation provides the leatherback with greater flexibility, though it lacks the rigid, armored protection found in the shells of cheloniid sea turtles. Additionally, the leatherback's carapace is distinguished by seven distinct ridges running along its length.123