The Hawksbill Turtle (eretmochelys imbricata) typically occurs in tidal and sub-tidal coral and rocky reef habitats throughout tropical and sub-tropical waters.

Sponges make up a major part of the diet of Hawksbills, although they also feed on seagrasses, algae, soft corals and shellfish.

The Hawksbill turtle has a distinctive parrot-like beak. Other characteristics include:

• 4 pairs or more of large scales on either side (coastal scales)

• Thick overlapping carapace (protective, shell-like covering on the back of the turtle) scales

• Carapace low domed with upturned edges

• Adult carapace approx. 0.8m

• Colour olive grey

In Australia the main feeding area extends along the East Coast, including the Great Barrier Reef. Other feeding areas include Torres Strait and the archipelagos of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, as far south as Coral Bay and Shark Bay.

In Western Australia, Hawksbills generally have smaller annual nesting populations of tens to hundreds of turtles. However, they have an extended nesting period and may nest at any time of the year. Their peak nesting period is between October and February. They often share the nesting beaches mid-season with other species of turtles, but commence breeding much earlier.

Confirmed northern Gascoyne region nesting locations include Ningaloo beaches from the Coral Bay area north to the Muiron Islands. There are no records of Hawksbills nesting at more southerly locations.

As at December 2005, a total of about 2,500 nesting females had been tagged and released for population studies.

There is a widespread belief that the Hawksbill can be poisonous. Australian Aboriginal people believe this, and usually harvest only the eggs at coastal sites. Some minor illegal trade in Hawksbill turtle shells has been detected in recent times but there is now no evidence of organised or substantial trade within Australia. Historic external trade did occur.

This page not only has a lot of information about marine turtles, but have a look at my other related topics including:

• Life-cycle of Marine Turtles

• Green Turtles

• Loggerhead Turtles

• Marine Turtles at Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef



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