NOAA Fisheries “Hawksbill Turtle”
What is a Hawksbill Turtle?
If you have ever watched the movie Finding Nemo you may recognize this turtle (his name was Crush in the movie)! Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are in the critically endangered species category (just like most sea turtles are). The scientific name for this amazing creature is Eretmochelys imbricata. You might think that since these animals live in the ocean, they are marine mammals. That is incorrect! Hawksbill Turtles are actually reptiles!
What do Hawksbill Turtles eat?
Hawksbill Turtles are omnivores which means they eat plants and animals! So food such as mollusks, marine algae, crustaceans, sea urchins, fish, jellyfish, and sea sponges. Luckily because of their hard shells, they can eat in peace without a lot of predators coming after them! The shape of their mouth is made for trying to get into the small spaces in the reefs for food.
Green Feature “What do Sea Turtles Eat?”
How do Hawksbill Turtles Behave?
Just like sea turtles, Hawksbill Turtles can migrate long distances for nesting beaches. An event that has happened that relates to this topic is when a female Hawksbill Turtle was found moving 1,160 miles from her nesting ground in Buck Island Reef National Monument in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Miskito Cays in Nicaragua! That shows that they can travel 500-1,000 miles! But moving far does not fit for the Hawaiian Hawksbill Turtle, they travel short distances. Hawksbill Turtles' names actually come from their beak-like mouth! They are also the only species that are able to live off of only sponges!
WWF “Sea Turtle”
Where do the Hawksbill Turtles live?
Hawksbill Turtle’s are actually found everywhere but are mostly found in nearshore foraging grounds. The ledges and caves of coral reefs are where you can find resting Hawksbill Turtles during the day AND night. Since the Hawksbill Turtles love their sponges they also stay around the estuaries and rock formations. Again Hawksbill Turtles can be found everywhere and that helps countries around the world give support to these creatures.
Voice for the Speechless “6 ways to help the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle”
What are the Characteristics of a Hawksbill Turtle?
The Hawksbill Turtle grows up 24- 45 inches and weighs 100-150 pounds! They also live up to 30 -50 years! The Hawksbill turtle has this colorful shell that has serrated edges and overlapping scutes. Lastly, their shells can grow up to 2-3 feet!
Smithsonian Magazine “New Study Offers Glimmer of Hope for Sea Turtles”
How do the Hawksbill Turtle’s Offspring act and look like?
The Hawksbill Turtle reaches maturity around 20-30 years. Every 1 to 5 years female Hawksbills return to their nesting grounds. They also usually nest 130-160 eggs per season!! When they nest they nest at night and in high places at the beach. After two months the eggs hatch and the hatchlings make their way to the water!
Phy.org “Over 100 endangered turtles hatch in Singapore”
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