Comparison between aquatic and terrestrial locomotions of the leatherback sea turle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Kinematic characteristics of the fore‐ and hindlimb displacements during terrestrial and aquatic locomotions in juvenile marine turtles Dermochelys coriacea are compared. Modulations of the spatial displacements of the limbs and durations of the stance and swing phases are analysed in relationship with the constraints of the aquatic and terrestrial environments. The stance and swing phases used for describing the aquatic locomotion are re‐evaluated in the light of the spatial displacements of the forelimbs during complete beating cycles.