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Project Noah Nature School
Eretmochelys imbricata
Description: The hawksbill is one of the smaller sea turtles. Head is narrow and has 2 pairs of prefrontal scales (scales in front of its eyes). Jaw is not serrated. Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, over-lapping scutes (scales) present and has 4 lateral scutes. Carapace is elliptical in shape. Flippers have 2 claws. The carapace is orange, brown or yellow and hatchlings are mostly brown with pale blotches on scutes. Size: Adults are 2.5 to 3 feet in carapace length (71 - 89 cm). Weight: Adults can weigh between 101 and 154 lbs (46 - 70 kg). Diet: The hawksbill's narrow head and jaws shaped like a beak allow it to get food from crevices in coral reefs. They eat sponges, anemones, squid and shrimp. - text from http://www.conserveturtles.org/
Typically found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries and lagoons.
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.
Spotted on Sep 20, 2009
Submitted on Apr 17, 2013
1 Comment
Great spotting!