Hawksbill turtle

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The Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a sea turtle that is distinguished by the following characteristics.

beak like mouth
elongated head tapering sharply to a point
V-shaped lower jaw
bird like appearance
alternating gait on land (compared to the Green Sea Turtle or Leatherback Sea Turtle)
flippers with two claws on each
heart shaped carapaces on younger age which elongates in maturity
unusually thick scutes mostly overlapping at the posterior
plastron scutes are white or yellowish, sometimes with little dark pigmentation

It has also 4 pairs of frontal scutes and the epidermal scutes overlaying the bones build the turtle's shell. Additionally, it has 2 pairs of prefrontal scales.

Contents

0.1 Scutes
0.2 some figures

1
2 Feeding & diet
3 Status
4 References
5 External links

Scutes

Its carapacial scutes are unusually thick. All hawksbill turtles except the very old ones have sharply serrated carapace at its sides and rear portion. The shell usually has an amber background patterned with irregular combination of light and dark streaks predominantly black and mottled brown colors radiating to the sides.

some figures

average carapace curve length = 87 centimeters
weight = can reach up to 80 kilograms
hatchling's weight = less than 1/2 ounce
hatchling's carapace length = 1-1/2 inches

Hawksbill turtle photographed in Papua New Guinea.

Coral reefs are the natural habitat for hawksbill turtles. Caves and ledges around coral reefs provide resting areas throughout the day and night. They are found predominantly in the tropical reefs of Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Some are found on the Brazillian coast, southern Florida and Hawaii. Very little is known of the turtle's migration patterns.

Feeding & diet

The principal food of hawkbill turtles is sponge. As sponges contain glass, Hawksbills are the only sea turtle specie capable of digesting glass. They are considered omnivorous scavengers. Sea anemones and other invertebrates have also been found in the stomach of some turtles.

Status

Hawksbill turtle photographed in Útila.

Endangered species. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, it is illegal to import or export turtle products, kill, capture or harass hawksbill turtles.

References

Red List Standards & Petitions Subcommittee (1996). [Eretmochelys imbricata]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a lengthy justification of why this species is critically endangered

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[Special]

[Audubon Observes Florida Sea-Turtles] The great naturalist James Audubon observes the nesting behavior of Florida Sea-Turtles including the Hawksbill (1832).

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