| Description: The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a small to medium sized turtle with shell lengths up to 36 inches. They are known for their beautiful brown shell, mottled with dark and light spots and streaks, which was once commonly used to make tortoiseshell jewelry. Hawksbill Sea Turtles are the most tropical of all sea turtles. Hawksbills nest primarily at night, but there are reports of daytime nesting, usually on uninhabited beaches. Although sea turtles are subject to predation throughout their life cycle, predation is particularly high during the first two years of life. The eggs are eaten by ghost crabs, raccoons, skunks, opossums, mongooses, and dogs. Hatchlings are preyed upon by mammals, sea birds, crabs, and carnivorous fishes. Predation continues to be high until the turtles are big enough to avoid being swallowed. Sharks are a formidable predator throughout the life cycle of the Hawksbill. Hawksbill Sea Turtles are on the endangered list. |
