Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata

Reptiles & Amphibians62.5 to 114 cmIn the app

The Hawksbill sea turtle is a relatively small species of turtle; the average length range and size are 24.61 to 44.88 inches and 80kg respectively. The carapace of the t…

How to identify

The Hawksbill sea turtle is a relatively small species of turtle; the average length range and size are 24.61 to 44.88 inches and 80kg respectively. The carapace of the turtle has a tangerine background pigmentation with dark and light irregular markings, and mottled-brown, black colors spreading to the sides. The rear margin of the carapace looks serrated because of the way the scutes overlap. The head of the hawksbill tortoise tapers into a ‘V’ shape very akin to a bird’s beak – which is what earns the name ‘hawksbill’. The head also has two pairs of prefrontal scales and two claws on each forelimb. The males have brighter colors, a more concavely shaped plastron, longer claws, and a thicker tail. The juveniles possess a heart-shaped carapace and as they mature, the carapaces begin to grow longer.

Range

Eretmochelys imbricata have a relatively wide and circumglobal range, but can be found majorly in the tropical and arguably the subtropical regions of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. These turtles are migratory and some may take complicated movements through different geographic habitats in the course of their lives. For nesting, the hawksbill turtle has sites in at least 70 countries.

Habitat

The turtles thrive in the tropical coral reefs littered with sea sponges. You can find them resting in caves and ledges around the reefs during the day. Shoals with brown algae, oceanic island lagoons, and continental shelves. Generally found in water that isn’t deeper than sixty feet. Young hawksbill tortoise can’t dive deep into water, so live in masses of floating sea plants until they develop stronger swimming limbs. While omnivorous, the hawksbill tortoise feeds primarily on sponges including bioluminescent ones. Although, they are highly selective of what sponges to eat. They also prey on jellyfish, sea anemones, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Variations

There are two subspecies of this turtle: Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata Eretmochelys imbricata bissa

Similar species

Eretmochelys imbricata has a set of unique physical characteristics that set it apart. The first thing is the claws on the forelimbs. Second is their beak-like mouths. Third is the overlapping serrated scutes in the carapace. Fourth and lastly is the two pairs of prefrontal scales. The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is bigger and weighs more. It has a much shorter snout and its beak isn’t hooked. The difference also lies in its brown carapace coloration. The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) also weighs much more (up to 200kg) and is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world. The carapace coloration of this turtle is yellow-orange to reddish-brown. The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) has a carapace that is quite obviously distinct. Its carapace is olive-colored and heart-shaped.