The Hawksbill turtle is the animal that provides commercial tortoise shell material used as decorative accent in a variety of objects. Because of this, the existing number of Hawksbill turtles is threatened by human harvesting.
Along with all other marine turtles, the Hawksbill is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Many nations governing the waters of its habitat also have instituted protective measures but even so a large amount of trading in products from the Hawksbill is still going on. It is estimated that there are perhaps 8,000 nesting females left in the wild.
Hawksbill turtles are important to the ecology of the sea. They eat aquatic invertebrates and particularly sponges. As the turtles take sponges from coral, it uncovers a food source for reef fishes. Without the Hawksbill turtle, many species of marine fish would suffer.
Characteristics of the Hawksbill Turtle
Hawksbill turtles are mid-sized, reaching less than one meter in length and weighing in at 40 to 60 kg. Their shells are a mixture of yellow, amber, and brown hues.
The carapace is thin and elaborately patterned; unusual due to its overlapping scutes, or the bony plates of the shell. Polishing brings out the beautiful streaked colours and marbled patterns characteristic of tortoise shell material.
The name of the Hawksbill is apt. These turtles have a pointed and narrow beak that looks much the same as the beak on a bird of prey.
Habitat of the Hawksbill
The Hawksbill turtle is found all over the globe, within the ecological regions of the Agulhas Current, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Banda-Flores Sea, Benguela Current, Bismarck-Solomon Seas, Canary Current, East African Marine, Galàpagos Marine, Greater Antillean Marine, Gulf of California, Humboldt Current, Mesoamerican Caribbean Reef, Northeast Brazil Shelf Marine Palau Marine, Southern Caribbean Sea, Sulu-Sulawesi Seas, and the West Madagascar Marine.
It was once thought that the Hawksbill was less migratory than other marine turtle species but tracking via satellite has recently shown Hawksbills do, indeed, participate in long, seasonal migrations. More than likely the Hawksbill moves around to find food and an ideal location for breeding.
Although the Hawksbill turtle is less endangered than other species, such as the Leatherback, it is still severely threatened. Until efforts to stop trade in its unusual shell are effective, the population will continue to decrease and this could move the animal to the critically endangered list within a short period of time.
Take a look at our guide to critically endangered turtles and the different types of turtles.