![]() As adults, these turtles only average about 45-70 kilograms (100-150 pounds) and grow to be about 60-90 centimeters (2-3 feet) long. For these reasons, worldwide hawksbill populations are endangered. Harvesting turtle eggs and the trade and import of tortoise shell items is illegal in the United States, but other countries still allow the take of hawksbill turtles. Additionally, like the green turtle, their eggs are harvested for consumption. Hawksbill shell is used to make tortoise shell jewelry, barrettes, combs, and other items. Unfortunately, this beauty has taken the hawksbill to the brink of extinction. The rear edge of the carapace is serrated, and the "plates" (scutes) overlap. Their shell (carapace) is a dark golden brown with streaks of black, yellow, and orange throughout. They have a bird-like beak that is used to pick out sponges from the crevices of coral reef. Population Estimate*: Between 20,000 and 23,000 nesting females.Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are known for their magnificent shells and interesting food preferences. Threats to Survival: The greatest threat to hawksbill sea turtle is the harvesting for their prized shell, often referred to as “tortoise shell.” In some countries the shell is still used to make hair ornaments, jewelry, and other decorative items. International – Listed as Critically Endangered (facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Endangered Species Act, which was established in 1973. Endangered Species Conservation Act, the predecessor to the U.S. – Listed as Endangered (in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future) in 1970 under the U.S. Tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Nesting: Nest at intervals of 2 to 4 years. Habitat: Typically found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries and lagoons. They eat sponges, anemones, squid and shrimp. Hawksbill turtles are circumpolar, inhabiting tropical and subtropical oceans in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Weight: Adults can weigh between 101 and 154 lbs (46 – 70 kg).ĭiet: The hawksbill’s narrow head and jaws shaped like a beak allow it to get food from crevices in coral reefs. One of the smaller sea turtles, it has overlapping. Size: Adults are 2.5 to 3 feet in carapace length (71 – 89 cm). The endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle is one of seven species of sea turtles found throughout the world. The carapace is orange, brown or yellow and hatchlings are mostly brown with pale blotches on scutes. However, they are most threatened by wildlife trade. Like other sea turtles, hawksbills are threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, excessive egg collection, fishery-related mortality, pollution, and coastal development. ![]() ![]() Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, over-lapping scutes (scales) present and has 4 lateral scutes. Hawksbills are particularly susceptible to entanglement in gillnets and accidental capture on fishing hooks. Endangered species such as the hawksbill turtle warrant protection at all. Often spotted near coral reefs, hawksbills are known for their exquisite shell pattern, featuring radiant. sive, predictive model for hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Head is narrow and has 2 pairs of prefrontal scales (scales in front of its eyes). Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). They are much sought after throughout the tropics for their beautiful brown and yellow carapace. Common Name: Hawksbill – named for its narrow head and hawk-like beak.ĭescription: The hawksbill is one of the smaller sea turtles. Hawksbill turtles are particulary threatened by wildlife trade.
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