What is special about hawksbill sea turtle?
Their strikingly colored carapace is serrated and has overlapping scutes, or thick bony plates. The hawksbill turtle’s tapered head ends in a sharp point resembling a bird’s beak, hence its name. A further distinctive feature is a pair of claws adorning each flipper.
Who eats the hawksbill turtle?
The beautiful Hawksbill shell is tough and effectively protects them from predators. However, they still fall prey to sharks, crocodiles, octopus and the biggest predator of all, humans.
How fast is a hawksbill turtle?
Their smooth shells and paddlelike flippers help them speed through the water as fast as 24 kph. These long-distance travelers have been known to swim up to 4,828 km.
What are hawksbill turtles killed for?
Prized For Their Beautiful Tortoiseshell In the last 100 years, it is estimated that millions of Hawksbill turtles have been killed to supply the tortoiseshell markets of Europe, the United States and Asia.
How many hawksbill turtles are killed each year?
The researchers estimated that 4,600 sea turtles currently perish each year in U.S. coastal waters, but nevertheless represents a 90-percent reduction in previous death rates.”
Why is the hawksbill turtle important?
Hawksbills help maintain the health of coral reefs. As they remove prey such as sponges from the reef’s surface, they provide better access for reef fish to feed. They also have cultural significance and tourism value.
What gives the hawksbill turtle its name?
beak
Hawksbills are named for their narrow, pointed beak. They also have a distinctive pattern of overlapping scales on their shells that form a serrated-look on the edges. These colored and patterned shells make them highly-valuable and commonly sold as “tortoiseshell” in markets.
Why do we need hawksbill turtles?
Why it matters Like so many marine creatures, hawksbill turtles play an important role in maintaining the health of coral reefs. As they remove algae, hawksbills provide better access for reef fish to feed. Their appetite for algae also promotes coral growth.
Is turtle shell illegal?
Buying, selling or importing any sea any sea turtle products within the United States, as in many countries around the world, is strictly prohibited by law, but turtle shell jewelry and souvenirs are still the most frequent contraband items seized by customs officials from tourists returning from the Caribbean.
What are turtles used for?
In some parts of the world, sea turtles are used for ceremonial purposes. Their shells and skins are also used to make a variety of objects like jewelry, sunglasses, tourist trinkets, instruments, and wall hangings. The hawksbill in particular is valued for its shell which is used for ornamental purposes.
Is a hawksbill turtle a carnivore?
It turns out, turtles aren’t only limited to carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. The leatherback sea turtle eats only jellyfish and other soft-bodied sea creatures, making it a gelatinivore. The hawksbill can be referred to as a spongivore because it eats various types of sea sponges.
What would happen if hawksbill turtles became extinct?
What would happen if the Hawksbill Turtle went extinct? If Hawksbill Sea Turtles went extinct, the populations of the organims they feed on, such as sponges and sea urchins, would likely explode, causing large-scale erosion 54, 55 and even the collapse of marine ecosystems such as coral reefs.
What are the enemies of the hawksbill sea turtle?
Natural predators of the hawksbill sea turtles are sharks, octopuses, crocodiles and large fish . Nests and offspring are at risk for being attacked by dogs, raccoons, rats, crabs or seagulls. But none of the above affects the hawksbill turtle population more than humans. Humans
How do hawksbill turtles defend themselves?
Hawksbill Sea Turtle Habitat. The hawksbill prefers shallow coastal waters and is frequently found around underwater rocks and coral reefs. Physical Description. The hawksbill is distinct among the sea turtles. Biology and Natural History. Dangerous as it is delicate, the hawksbill can and does defend itself with its large, hooked upper jaw. Height/Weight. Taxonomy.
