(1,1) -1- hawksbill final.

indd 6/21/2010 10:47:04 AM

Eretmochelys imbricata
This sea turtle of tropical reefs has become rare. Although
the hawksbill's center of abundance in the Atlantic is the
Caribbean Sea, significant numbers of juvenile hawksbills
feed on reefs in southern Florida and the Keys. Hawksbills are
named for their narrow, slightly hooked beak.
A hawksbill's shell is plated with thick, overlapping
scutes. The shell's radiating streaks of
color vary between individuals.

4 Nearshore Feeding
Sub-adult ► Adult

Breeding Migration
Diet
Hawksbills are unique for their specialization on eating sponges,
many of which are toxic to most other animals.

Post hatchlings
Oceanic Feeding
Juveniles

5
Adult Males

3 Adult Females
Life Cycle
Hawksbills progress through Jelly animals Copepods Sea slugs Hydroids
different habitats as they mature,
Nesting Beach but apart from their breeding Juveniles and Adults
Mating
migrations, adults tend to remain
within a familiar home range.
2-week Intervals

2 1 Nests average 140 eggs which

incubate under sand for 55–75
Hatchling Dispersal
Internesting Habitat days. Warmer sands produce
Near Beach mostly female turtles and cooler Sponges Coral anemones Algae
1 Egg-laying 6 sands result in mostly males.
2 A few days after they hatch, the

Nesting/hatching season: Varies by location

hatchlings emerge together from
the nest at night, scramble quickly Natural Predators
to the sea, and are dispersed by
Although eggs and small hawksbills have many natural
Adult shell length: 28−35 in (71−89 cm) ocean currents.
predators, large hawksbills have few.
Adult weight: 101−154 lb (46−70 kg) 3 The youngest juveniles live near
Age at maturity: Approximately 25 years the surface of deep ocean waters
Status: Endangered and are carried by ocean currents. Eggs and Hatchlings
4 At about two years of age,
juveniles swim into nearshore
waters to inhabit reefs and other
shallow habitats. Subadults may Black
occupy deeper reefs. vulture
5 Adults mate along migration
routes between foraging and
nesting areas and off the nesting Ghost crab
Coatimundi
beach.
Hatchling to
6 Every 2–4 years, adult females Post Hatchlings
Post-hatchling Juvenile Sub-adult Adult migrate to the beach where they
First year, 1−35 oz 1−10 years old, 10−25 years old, to 45+ years old, hatched and make about 3-6
(20−1000 g) 2−46 lb (1−21 kg) 46−101 lb (21−46 kg) average 130 lb (59 kg) nests at two-week intervals.

Frigatebird Predatory fish

Habitat
The smallest juveniles
Juveniles and Adults
feed at open-ocean fronts
and "weedlines." Larger Large sharks
juveniles, sub-adults,
and adults favor reefs,
especially those with healthy
coral growth. Hawksbills
also forage on seagrass
pastures. Nesting females
need undisturbed sandy
beaches.

A hawksbill's long
Conservation
Efforts to restore hawksbill
neck and narrow, bird-
populations rely on international
like beak allow it to feed on
cooperation. Conservation efforts
sponges and other animals
include projects to monitor and
that live in the crevices
safeguard nesting beaches, and
of reefs.
international agreements to stop
tortoiseshell trade and protect
coral reef habitat.

Nesting Regional Distribution Threats How to Help

Females take about an Hawksbill nesting is dispersed throughout the Killing for tortoiseshell nearly drove the Although hawksbills are
hour to dig a body pit and greater Caribbean. Florida receives only a few hawksbill to extinction. This raw material international marine animals
egg chamber, lay their nests each year. The youngest juveniles live in comes from the turtle’s beautiful plastic-like that need help throughout their
eggs, and scatter sand to open-sea surface waters. Larger juveniles, sub- shell scutes and is made into decorative items. range to survive, there are many
camouflage their nest. adults, and adults are found in clear, shallow A recent international ban on tortoiseshell things we can do for them here
coastal waters. trade is helping to reverse hawksbill declines. at home. Make informed seafood
choices, pick up marine litter, never
purchase tortoiseshell products,
consider beach conservation
in tropical vacation decisions,
contribute to marine conservation
organizations, buy a sea turtle
license plate, and share your
interest in sea turtles with others.

Tracks Celebrating over 50 Years of Sea Turtle Conservation

Alternating Sea Turtle Conservancy
rear-flipper Other important threats: 4424 NW 13th St, Suite B-11, Gainesville, FL 32609
swirls are at • Marine Plastics are an ingestion hazard Phone: 352-373-6441 • Fax: 352-375-2449
the margin, 1-800-678-7853 • www.conserveturtles.org
and a wavy Oceanic juveniles
• Light Pollution misleads and kills hatchlings
tail-drag line • Climate Change destroys coral reef habitat Funded by The Sea Turtle Grants Program with proceeds
from the sale of the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate.
Large juveniles and adults
runs down • Fishing Debris entangles and drowns turtles Learn more at www.helpingseaturtles.org.
the center. 24 in (60 cm) Major nesting beaches • Boat Strikes kill and injure turtles

Copyright © 2010 Dawn Witherington