Hawksbill sea turtle

Description:

The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle. Its appearance is similar to other marine turtles. It has a generally flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like arms, adapted for swimming in the open ocean. It is distinguished by other sea turtles by its distinct sharp, curving beak with prominent tomium, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins. Hawksbill shells slightly change colors, depending on water temperature. Adult hawksbill sea turtles have been known to grow up to 1 meter in length, weighing around 80 kg on average. The heaviest hawksbill ever captured was measured to be 127 kg . The turtle's shell, or carapace, has an amber background patterned with an irregular combination of light and dark streaks, with predominantly black and mottled-brown colors radiating to the sides. Several characteristics of the hawksbill sea turtle distinguish it from other sea turtle species. Its elongated, tapered head ends in a beak-like mouth and its beak is more sharply pronounced and hooked than others. Its arms have two visible claws on each flipper.One of the hawksbill's more easily distinguished characteristics is the pattern of thick scutes that make up its carapace. Its shell has five central scutes and four pairs of lateral scutes. The turtle's carapace has been known to reach almost 1 meter in length. Hawksbill sea turtles' sand tracks are asymmetrical. The green sea turtle and the leatherback turtle crawl rather symmetrically. Because they eat venomous cnidarians, hawksbill sea turtle flesh can become toxic.

Habitat:

This turtle has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Indo-Pacific subspecies. Although it lives part of its life in the open ocean, it spends more time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs. This particular species was found in Mākaha, Hawai‘i. Adult hawksbill sea turtles are primarily found in tropical coral reefs. They are usually seen resting in caves and ledges in and around these reefs. As a migratory species, they have a wide range of habitats, from the open ocean to lagoons and even mangrove swamps. Little is known about their habitat preferences in early-life stages. Like other sea turtle young, they are assumed to be completely pelagic and remain at sea until they mature.

Notes:

Human fishing practices threaten Hawksbill populations with extinction. The World Conservation Union identifies the hawksbill as critically endangered. Their shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material, which was used for decorative purposes. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species bans the capture and trade of hawksbill sea turtles and products made from them.