Kingdom–Animalia Phylum–Chordatacloseup of turtle head
Class–Reptilia Order–Testudines
Family–Cheloniidae Genus-Eretmochelys
Species-Imbricata
With a life expectancy of 30 – 50 years, it averages from 2-3 feet in length and 60-80 kg in weight. The heaviest hawksbill ever captured was measured to be 127 kg!
| What are it's PredatorsThe hawksbill has few predators other than humans, these being sharks, whales, crocodiles and octopuses. Despite the fact that it is protected under international law which prohibits commercial trade in this animal, its largest threat is due to human predation resulting from the use of its beautiful shell in ornamental jewelry and hair combs. The skin of its flipper has also been used in purses. Due to its consumption of venomous cnidarians (eg. Anenomes), or “animals with a sting”, |
The hawksbill, with its limited capacity for reproduction (sexual maturity is generally not reached until the age of approximately 20 years, mating occurs only once every 3-4 years, and high mortality of the young hatchlings) is nearing extinction. Also affecting the reproductive process is the fact that with increasing average temperatures (global warming), the average temperature of the sand in which the female “nests” is increasing. According to various studies carried out, the higher the temperature, the shorter the gestation period, causing the ratio of male to female to steadily decrease.
Let’s make a difference!
By raising public awareness of the plight of this beautiful animal and by the unrelenting reporting of any shops or persons found participating in its commercial trade, you can help to prevent the extinction of the Hawksbill Sea Turtle.
to help raise awareness with the public Snippy's Snaps Diving offers the Project Aware Course: Turtle Awareness
so if you would like to know more about these magnificent creatures and want to help in their conservation, contact Snippy's Snaps Diving and join us.
Bruce is a personal friend of Snippy, who works now based out of Phuket.
Check out his Facebook and go diving with him when you are there.
1. Sea Turtle Conservancy - Information about Sea Turtles, Their Habitats and Threats to their Survival
http://www.conserveturtles.org/sea-turtle-information.phps
2. National Geographic -; Hawksbill Sea Turtle http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/hawksbill-turtle/
3. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – North Florida Ecological Services Office: Hawksbill Sea Turtle Fact Sheet(PDF) http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/SeaTurtles/Turtle%20Factsheets/hawksbill-sea-turtle.htm
4. See Turtles: What Turtles eat
http://www.seeturtles.org/1894/what-sea-turtles-eat.html
5. Vintage Fashion Guild – Tortoise-Turtle
http://vintagefashionguild.org/fur-resource/tortoise-turtle/
6. NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources-Hawksbill Sea Turtle: Appendix 1 CITES
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/hawksbill.htm
7. NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources: Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDS) http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/teds.htm
8. Encyclopedia Animals: Turtles – Sea Turtles http://acomplicatedkittensjourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/turtles.html
9. Wikipedia: Hawksbill sea turtle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawksbill_sea_turtle
10. N.E.S.T (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles: Hawksbill (Eretmochelys Imbricata)
http://www.nestonline.org/HawksbillSeaTurtle.htm