Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle, also called caret, a relatively small sea turtle, the source of authentic tortoiseshell. They are found in the tropical Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans.

The hawksbill turtle has a hooked upper jaw resembling the beak of a hawk. The face and limbs are white or yellowish in color with a black mosaic overlay. The paddle-shaped limbs have two claws on each flipper. The shell is made of large overlapping plates and measures 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft) long and weighs up to 73 kg (up to 160 lb). The carapace (upper shell) is usually amber with black or dark brown markings. The plastron (lower shell) is richly splashed with yellow. Young hawksbills have a heart-shaped carapace, which elongates as the turtle matures. Males have brighter coloring, longer claws, and a thicker tail than females.

Hawksbills generally prefer shallow reef and lagoon areas having water depths not over 18 m (60 ft). They may occupy slightly different areas depending on the stage in their life cycle. Ridges and caves provide shelter and resting places for these turtles. Hawksbills primarily feed on sponges but they will also eat fish, mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, and various sea plants.

Hawksbill turtles reach maturity between 3 and 3.5 years of age. Mating occurs every 2 to 3 years, and nesting usually takes place between July and October. After digging a deep pit on a sandy beach, the female lays the eggs, covers the pit with sand, and then returns to the water. The process usually takes place at night and is complete in one to three hours. It is believed that three clutches, each having 150 to 200 eggs, are laid at two-week intervals. Following an incubation period of approximately 60 days, the hatchling turtles emerge and eventually find their way to the water if predators do not find them first.

The hawksbill turtle has been overhunted for its shell, which is used to make various decorative items such as combs and sunglasses. The hawksbill turtle has been listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In addition to overhunting, the survival of this species is seriously threatened by loss of nesting habitat and water pollution.

Scientific classification: The hawksbill turtle belongs to the family Cheloniidae. It is classified as Eretmochelys imbricata.