Hawksbill Turtle

Description:

Distinguishing characteristics of the hawksbill sea turtle are: 1) Its elongated, tapered head that ends in a beak-like mouth with its beak more sharply pronounced and hooked than others. 2) The hawksbill's arms have two visible claws on each flipper. 3) the posterior scutes of the carapace overlap in such a way that it gives the rear margin a serrated look, similar to the edge of a saw or a steak knife. 4) Hawksbills also have 2 pairs of prefrontal scales between the eyes. The hawksbill turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle due mostly to human practices. Some still eat its eggs despite its international protected status. Hawksbill shells are also primary sources of tortoise shell decorative material. They are also prone to accidental capture in fishing nets.

Habitat:

Spends most of its time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs despite living its life in the open oceans of the world.

Notes:

A young hawksbill at a depth of about 6 m. Spotted another one the following day which I thought was the same as this spotting. This one has a chipped portion in the right side of its carapace and had a more distinct mossy green (algae?) patch on its upper left carapace. See http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/105...