Description: The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle. Its beautifully marked carapace, marbled with yellow, amber, and brown markings, has made it the target of commercial hunting for its tortoiseshell. Hawksbill sea turtles are among the smaller species of sea turtles. They grow to about 3ft in length and reach weights of about 180lbs.
The hawksbill sea turtle has overlapping scutes on its carapace (these overlapping scutes are called 'imbricata' and are the source of the species' name). The hawksbill's plastron is a light yellow-cream to amber color (Source: Lahanas).
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Testudines
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Genus: Eretmochelys
- Species: Eretmochelys imbricata (Source: Edelman)
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Habitat: Usually found in waters less than 60ft in depth. Occurs around islands, in shoals and lagoons, and near continental shelf regions (Source: Edelman).
Range: Tropical regions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Source: Edelman).
Diet: Hawksbill turtles feed on a range of fish and invertebrates (including gastropods, echinoderms, coelenterates, bryzoans, and sponges) (Source: Lahanas).
Status: Red List Category & Criteria (ver 2.3, 1994): CR A1bd. Critically endangered with a recent population reduction of greater than 80% (Source: Red List Standards).
Sources:
- Burnie, D. and D.E. Wilson. Animal. Dorling Kindersley. London. 2001.
- Edelman, M. 2004. 'Eretmochelys imbricata' (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 22 2006.
- Lahanas, P. 2003. 'Eretmochelys imbricata' (On-line), Herps of Panama. Accessed February 22 2006.
- Red List Standards & Petitions Subcommittee, 1996. 'Eretmochelys imbricata' (On-line), IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Accessed February 22 2006.
