Red Ear Sliders, Sea Turtles and Other Turtle Species
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Hawksbill Turtle:
Eretmochelys Imbricata
| Size: Average carapace
is about 35 inches (90 cm) |
| Weight: Average is
about 132 pounds (60 kg) |
| Habitat: Most encounters
are near coral reefs. They nest on beaches near the
coral reefs. |
| Food: They are omnivorous.
Their menu includes both plants and small animals.
Plants-sea grass and sea sponge. Animals-small
crabs. |
The Hawksbill turtle is well known for their beautiful
shell. Their shell is referred to as 'tortoise shell'.
People make jewelry, combs, eyeglass frames, and ornaments
out of their shell. Their hides are cured for leather
to make cowboy boots and other leather items. Hawksbill
turtles are found traveling in warm waters from Africa,
Asia, and North America. They hang out in the Oceanic
Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean.
It is difficult to get an exact population count of
Hawksbill turtles. We do know that there are only
five populations worldwide with more than 1,000 nesting
females annually. Females lay around 60 to 200 eggs
every two to three years. |
References: Groombridge, B. 1982. The IUCN
Amphibia Reptilia Red Data Book:
Testudines, Crocodylia, Rhynchocephalia. IUCN, Switzerland
Photo courtesy of NOAA
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Species
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