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6 days ago · The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys. The species has a global distribution that is largely limited to tropical and subtropical marine and estuary ecosystems.
- It’S Named For Its “Beak”
- They Feed Almost Exclusively on Sponges
- They’Re Solitary Nesters
- They Nest Nearly 4 Times Per Season
- They’Re The Most Endangered Sea Turtle Population Worldwide
- The Largest Populations Occur in The Tropical Seas
- They Were Almost Hunted to Extinction
- Their Flesh Is Harmful to Humans
- One Turtle Can Consume Over 1,000 Pounds of Sponges Per Year
- Their Shell Starts Out Heart-Shaped
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle has a very distinctive narrow head and a sharp, bird-like beak that helps it to reach into cracks and crevices of coral reefs to look for food. It’s strong and hooked, similar to a bird of prey, in order to crack through coral to get to their preferred food.
Without the Hawksbill’s unique role in coral reef maintenance, these sponges would be able to overgrow corals and suffocate reefs. These sponges are toxic to other animals but not the Hawksbill, which means very little competition for them.
Unlike many sea turtles that swarm the beaches in droves when it’s egg-laying season, the Hawksbill prefers to nest in low densities on small, scattered beaches. The females are well adapted to even crawl over reefs and rocky areas to reach truly secluded nesting sites.
Each nest contains approximately 140 eggs, although some nests may contain over 200. These layings are spaced out at 2-week intervals, which means that’s a maximum of 800 eggs laid in 2 months!
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is listed as Endangered within the United States due to habitat reduction and adults being captured for illegal animal trading or eating plastic thinking it’s a jellyfish. Throughout the world they’re considered to be Critically Endangered and at risk of extinction.
Namely, they tend to congregate in the Caribbean Sea, the Seychelles, Indonesia, Mexico, and Australia. They aren’t found in the Mediterranean however, and very few are found in US waters. Even fewer nest on Florida beaches, preferring the tropical sands and secluded beaches around islands.
The Hawksbill Sea Turtlehas a gorgeous shell, the design on which is known as “tortoiseshell”. It’s traded internationally to be used in things such as jewelry and other decorative items. The international trade of their shells is now illegal, but that hasn’t stopped black market trade of this highly valued commodity.
Because of their sponge diet, eating a Hawksbill Sea Turtle may cause serious illness and, in extreme cases, even death. Sponges contain toxic compounds that accumulate in the animal’s tissues that may not harm them, but definitely harm us.
These animals are constantly grazing around the coral reef. They leave the coral itself alone while foraging for the sponges that make up its diet.
When the Hawksbill Sea Turtle is first born, their upper shell appears to be heart-shaped. It elongates as they mature into the more recognizable oval.
Animals. Photo Ark. Hawksbill turtle. The critically endangered hawksbill turtle is a highly migratory animal that lives in tropical waters. It is hunted for its striking shell. Photograph...
- Heart-shaped babies. The lifecycle of the Hawksbill begins as an egg, laid on a beach, much like other species of sea turtle. A female clears a space and digs a hole, into which she plops a clutch of round eggs.
- They are biofluorescent. It’s unknown as to why they are biofluorescent, but they are the first reptile to be recorded with this characteristic. It’s speculated this might be due to their diet, but it’s also believed to be more intense in color in males than females, which may suggest a behavioural role.
- Hawksbill sea turtles are capable of feeding on dangerous jellyfish. Hawksbill sea turtles will close their eyes, use their sharp claws on their flippers and beak to attack and eat venonmous jellies, hydrozoan and the Portuguese man o’ war.
- They live solitary lives. Hawksbill sea turtles are solitary for most of their lives, and they only meet to mate. This is similar to other sea turtles, who also live solitary lives.
Description. The hawksbill sea turtle is a small, agile turtle with an oval-shaped body. The reptile has powerful toothless jaws and a raptorlike "beak," which earned the hawksbill its name. This beak is perfectly suited for crushing, biting, and tearing food.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle Facts for Kids. Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a highly migratory and solitary species. From the genus Eretmochelys, hawksbill is the only surviving species. The head of a hawksbill turtle is tapered and it is shaped like a curved beak.
Critically Endangered. Hawksbill Sea Turtle. Eretmochelys imbricate. Lifespan 50 years or less. Habitat. Tropical and subtropical waters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean. Range. Shallow depths (less than 65 feet), rocky habitats and coral reefs. Preferred Food Sponges!
