Hawksbill turtle

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Hawksbill Turtle
Conservation status
Critically endangered (CR)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Cheloniidae Genus: Eretmochelys Species: E. imbricata
Binomial name
Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus, 1766

The Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a sea turtle that is distinguished by the following characteristics.

• beak like mouth
• elongated head tapering sharply to a point
• V-shaped lower jaw
• bird like appearance
• alternating gait on land (compared to the Green Sea Turtle or Leatherback Sea Turtle)
• flippers with two claws on each
• heart shaped carapaces on younger age which elongates in maturity
• unusually thick scutes mostly overlapping at the posterior
• plastron scutes are white or yellowish, sometimes with little dark pigmentation

It has also 4 pairs of frontal scutes and the epidermal scutes overlaying the bones build the turtle's shell. Additionally, it has 2 pairs of prefrontal scales.

[edit] Scutes

Its carapacial scutes are unusually thick. All hawksbill turtles except the very old ones have sharply serrated carapace at its sides and rear portion. The shell usually has an amber background patterned with irregular combination of light and dark streaks predominantly black and mottled brown colors radiating to the sides.

[edit] Facts & Stats

• The average carapace (the thick shell that covers the back of the turtle) curve length is 87 centimeters.
• It can reach up to 80 kilograms in weight.
• A hatchling weighs less than 1/2 ounce with its carapace length measuring a tiny 1-1/2 inches

[edit] Habitat and distribution

Coral reefs are the natural habitat for hawksbill turtles. Caves and ledges around coral reefs provide resting areas throughout the day and night. They are found predominantly in the tropical reefs of Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Some are found on the Brazilian coast, southern Florida and Hawaii. Some have been found on the beaches of Antigua and Barbuda. Very little is known of the turtle's migration patterns.

Hawksbill turtle photographed in Papua New Guinea.	Hawksbill turtle photographed In Tobago.	Hawksbill turtle photographed in Útila.	Hawksbill hatchling photographed in Grenada.
Hawksbill turtle photographed in Sipadan, Malaysia.

[edit] Feeding & diet

The principal food of hawkbill turtles is sponge. As sponges contain glass, Hawksbills are the only sea turtle species capable of digesting glass. They are considered omnivorous scavengers. Sea anemones and other invertebrates have also been found in the stomach of some turtles.

[edit] Status

Endangered species. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, it is illegal to import or export turtle products, kill, capture or harass hawksbill turtles.

[edit] References

• Red List Standards & Petitions Subcommittee (1996). Eretmochelys imbricata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a lengthy justification of why this species is critically endangered

[edit] External links

• Florida Sea Turtle information Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

• Audubon Observes Florida Sea-Turtles The great naturalist James Audubon observes the nesting behavior of Florida Sea-Turtles including the Hawksbill (1832).

• WWF-Malaysia's Hawksbill Turtles Satellite Telemetry Website WWF-Malaysia's website featuring the journey of two satellite tracked hawksbill turtles and other information about hawksbill turtles in the region of Malacca, Malaysia.